Validity of the Brown ADD scales: an investigation in a predominantly inattentive ADHD adolescent sample with and without reading disabilities.

Full Abstract

The Brown ADD Scale for Adolescents is widely used in clinical settings, yet, no published studies have investigated divergent and concurrent validity and specificity and sensitivity to inattentive ADHD symptomatology. Ninety-eight participants (13 to 16 years) were classified as ADHD/I and/or reading disabled (RD) using Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia (K-SADS), Conners' Rating Scales (CRS-R), and Ontario Child Health Study Scales (OCHSS), WRAT3, and WRMT-R. The results were:
29 ADHD/I; 12 RD, 16 ADHD/I with RD; and, 41 controls. The RD group was included to evaluate specificity. The Brown was administered but not used in classification. The ADHD groups scored higher on the Brown subscales compared with the other two groups. The recommended cutoffs resulted in high rates of false negatives but few false positives; this suggests good specificity but poor sensitivity. There were moderate correlations among the Brown, CRS-R, and OCHSS. The Brown can be useful in screening out ADHD; however, its low sensitivity precludes its usefulness in diagnosing ADHD.

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Author information

Author/s: Rucklidge, J J (JJ); Tannock, R (R);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Private Bag 4800, New Zealand. j.rucklidge(-atsign-)psyc.canterbury.ac.nz

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Validation Studies

Journal: Journal of attention disorders (J Atten Disord), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jan; vol 5 (issue 3) : pp 155-64

Dates: Created 2002/03/25; Completed 2002/08/20; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11911008, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis
Female
Humans
Male

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