Relationships between child-reported activity level and task orientation and parental attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptom ratings.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines whether elementary school-aged children can report behaviors relevant to assessing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
Interviews were conducted with 120 children aged 6 to 12 years and their parents across 3 waves as part of a longitudinal cohort study of ADHD detection and service use. Child self-reports obtained through the Dimensions of Temperament Scale-Revised-Child (DOTS-R-C) were correlated with parent-reported ADHD symptoms, which were assessed through DSM-IV-based instrument ratings obtained concurrently and 5 years later.


RESULTS
The Dimensions of Temperament Scale-Revised-Child subscales Activity Level and Task Orientation demonstrate adequate internal consistency after eliminating items requiring reverse scoring. Children's self-reports of Task Orientation Problems correlate with their parents' concurrent reports of inattention, r(117) = .23, p < .05, and with parents' Wave 3 reports of inattention, r(118) = .25, p < .01 as well as hyperactivity, r(118) = .25, p < .01. Children's self-reports of Activity Level correlate with their parents' concurrent reports of hyperactivity, r(117) = .21, p < .05, as well as Wave 3 reports of hyperactivity/impulsivity, r(118) = .37, p < .001 and inattention, r(118) = .23, p < .05.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that children may be capable of producing meaningful self-reports of Activity Level and Task Orientation. We propose that the development of child-friendly self-report instruments targeting ADHD symptoms is merited to facilitate the collection of child input during ADHD assessments.
Bell
Lindsay
L
Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. belll@ufl.edu
Kellison
Ida
I
Garvan
Cynthia W
CW
Bussing
Regina
R
D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
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