title: Clinical utility of the Chinese Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD-Symptoms and Normal-Behaviors questionnaire (SWAN) when compared with DISC-IV.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common and impairing child and adolescent psychiatric disorder. Early identification and prompt treatment are essential. Rating scales are commonly used by clinicians and researchers to assess ADHD children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the current study, we aimed to examine the clinical utility of the Chinese version of the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behaviors (SWAN) questionnaire. We validated its subscale scores against the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV (DISC-IV) and looked into its ability to identify ADHD in a psychiatric clinic setting. We also tested age and gender effects on SWAN scores. Specific subscale cutoff scores of SWAN were subsequently determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 290 children aged 6-12 years old studying in local mainstream primary schools were recruited from a clinic setting and interviewed with the parent version of DISC-IV. Their parents and teachers completed the corresponding version of SWAN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both parent and teacher versions of SWAN were found to have good concurrent validity with DISC-IV. It could identify ADHD well in a clinic sample. Gender-specific cutoff scores were determined. Sensitivities and specificities were found to be satisfactory. SWAN was also found to perform equally well in identifying ADHD in those with and without comorbid Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SWAN was proven to be a useful tool to aid the assessment of ADHD in a clinic sample.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Grace Fong-Chun
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Kelly Yee-Ching
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Private practice, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ernest Siu-Luen
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Luk
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Se-Fong
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Health Psychology Centre, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Patrick Wing-Leung
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Leung
keywords: ADHD; DISC-IV; SWAN; validity