2025/08/07 by Sasha L. Crocker, Anja Roemer, Sarah Strohmaier +2 · 1 voice
Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s41252-025-00452-2
openalex publication_date 2025/08/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Abstract Objectives Accurately diagnosing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is challenging due to the overlap of symptoms with other mental health conditions. This scoping review evaluated the dependability and accuracy of prevalent diagnostic scales and investigates potential obstacles to ADHD assessment diagnosis including potential sex bias. Method Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 11 widely used diagnostic scales were identified and included. All scales were evaluated based on their psychometric quality and alignment with DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Results The Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale emerged as the most reliable among the 11 scales, with the Symptom Checklist-4 ranking as the least reliable. No single assessment tool was adequate for ADHD diagnosis; additional testing was required for accurate conclusions. The literature revealed sex and age biases in some of the assessments. It was discovered that girls were diagnosed with ADHD less often than boys, yet their likelihood of misdiagnosis was notably lower. Conclusions This review emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive, multi-method assessment approaches for accurate ADHD diagnosis, as no single tool demonstrated sufficient diagnostic precision. Effective clinical assessment design must incorporate strong psychometric measures, address sex-based diagnostic disparities, and emphasize the importance of evaluating behavioural changes over time and their functional impact across settings.