Assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using the BASC and BRIEF

There has been an overwhelming increase in the number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). School and clinical psychologists play an important role in the assessment of a child's emotional and behavioral difficulties, including problems with attention. Various assessment measures, including behavioral rating forms such as the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), are often used in the assessment of a child's behavior. The purpose of this article is to provide more knowledge to psychologists regarding the assessment of ADHD in children using the BASC and BRIEF. Results from this study indicated that the BASC and BRIEF scales appear to be measuring similar, but different, constructs pertaining to behaviors associated with ADHD, as well as similar study skills and learning problems. These findings suggest that children diagnosed with ADHD are rated lower on adaptive skills when compared to children with no diagnosis on the BASC. Use of the BASC and BRIEF in ADHD assessment appears promising and may generate additional areas in need of intervention.