ADHD Symptom
Rating Scale

ADHD Executive Function Tools

A structured self-assessment for rating inattention and
hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms across two dimensions.

Where This Tool Helps

Most executives with ADHD have a working theory about which symptoms affect them most. This tool tests that theory. The rating scale separates inattention symptoms from hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms and asks you to rate each item individually - not "do I have ADHD" but "how often does this specific behavior show up in my work."

The value is not in the total score. It is in looking at the items where you rated 3 or 4 and recognizing the pattern. Leaders with predominantly inattentive presentations tend to have a completely different set of challenges than those with high hyperactivity-impulsivity scores, and coaching strategies that work well for one profile often miss the mark for the other. Seeing your highest-rated items side by side clarifies which patterns are doing the most work against you.

An important note before you start: this is a self-rating tool, not a diagnostic instrument. The scoring thresholds are reference points drawn from clinical frameworks, not a verdict. A high score warrants a conversation with a qualified professional; a low score does not rule anything out. Use this as a starting point for reflection and discussion, not as a conclusion.

Complete both tables before looking at the scores - the full picture is more useful than scoring as you go.

How to Use This Scale

  1. Rate each item based on the past 6 months, not your worst or best period. Think about your typical workweek, not an unusually stressful one or a particularly clear-headed stretch.
  2. Complete the Inattention table first, then Hyperactivity-Impulsivity. Do not score as you go - finish both tables, then calculate totals.
  3. Use the full scale. The tendency is to cluster around 2. If something happens daily, rate it 4. If it is rare, rate it 1.
  4. Note which individual items rated highest. The total score is a reference point; the high-rated items are the coaching material.
  5. Bring this to your next coaching session. The items you rated 3-4 are where leverage is most likely to be found.
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Part 1: Inattention

0 = Never    1 = Rarely    2 = Sometimes    3 = Often    4 = Very Often
# Symptom 0 1 2 3 4
1 I have trouble attending to detail or tend to make careless errors in my work
2 I have difficulty sustaining attention on tasks or during meetings
3 I appear not to be listening when spoken to directly
4 I do not follow through on instructions or fail to complete work tasks
5 I have difficulty organizing tasks, priorities, or work materials
6 I avoid or strongly resist tasks that require sustained mental effort
7 I lose items necessary for tasks or work (keys, files, devices, documents)
8 I am easily distracted by external stimuli or unrelated thoughts
9 I am forgetful in daily activities and routine responsibilities
10 I fail to follow through on commitments, deadlines, or obligations
Inattention Total:
/ 40
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Part 2: Hyperactivity-Impulsivity

0 = Never    1 = Rarely    2 = Sometimes    3 = Often    4 = Very Often
# Symptom 0 1 2 3 4
1 I fidget, tap my hands or feet, or feel physically restless when sitting still
2 I leave situations (meetings, calls, desk) when staying put is expected
3 I feel physically or mentally "on the go" in ways others find hard to follow
4 I have difficulty engaging in activities quietly or at a measured pace
5 I often feel driven by an internal motor - unable to slow down comfortably
6 I talk excessively or dominate conversations without intending to
7 I respond or complete others' sentences before they have finished speaking
8 I have difficulty waiting my turn in conversations, queues, or processes
9 I interrupt or intrude on others' work, conversations, or space
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Total:
/ 36

Scoring Reference

Score What It Suggests
Inattention ≥ 24 Pattern consistent with predominantly inattentive presentation
Hyperactivity-Impulsivity ≥ 18 Pattern consistent with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation
Both above thresholds Pattern consistent with combined presentation

Note: This scale is a self-rating tool for reflection purposes only. It is not a diagnostic instrument and does not replace evaluation by a qualified mental health or medical professional. High scores indicate patterns worth discussing with a clinician; low scores do not rule out ADHD.

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Before Your Next Session

You have two tables of data in front of you. The score is a starting point. What follows is what to do with it.

One more thing to sit with:

Look at the items you rated 3 or 4. Which two or three show up most consistently across different areas of your work - not just in a specific context, but broadly? What is the cost of those specific patterns over the past month?

And: which items surprised you - either higher or lower than you expected? What does that gap tell you about where your awareness is strongest, and where it might have blind spots?

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