Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS)

The Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) is a widely used screening tool for the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. Developed by Dr. Paul H. Wender, a pioneer in ADHD research, the WURS was initially designed to assess childhood symptoms retrospectively in adult patients. The original WURS consisted of 61 questions, but the WURS-25, a shorter 25-question version, is now commonly used due to its efficiency and comparable validity.

Last Updated: 3 November, 2024

  • Length: 5 minutes
  • Questions: 25 questions
  • Sensitivity: 86%
  • Specificity: 67%

More Details

In terms of validity, the WURS is regarded as a robust screening instrument. With a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 67%, it's capable of accurately identifying individuals who likely have ADHD and ruling out those who don't. However, while the WURS provides a strong indication of ADHD, it does not provide a definitive diagnosis. A positive result on the WURS should be followed by a comprehensive assessment by a healthcare professional.

The WURS is primarily used because it focuses on childhood behaviour, as the diagnosis of ADHD in adults requires the presence of symptoms before the age of twelve. Therefore, the WURS is a valuable tool to retrospectively assess ADHD symptoms in childhood. It comprises questions related to mood, temperament, and behaviours during school-age years, providing valuable insight into long-term behavioural patterns.

Using the WURS as a screening test has numerous benefits. It's efficient, relatively quick to complete, and can be self-administered. The 25-item scale, with its binary (true/false) responses, allows for easy scoring and interpretation. Additionally, the WURS has been widely researched and validated across diverse populations, making it a trusted instrument in the preliminary stages of ADHD assessment.

In conclusion, the Wender Utah Rating Scale is a critical tool in the screening process for ADHD in adults. By assessing childhood behaviours retrospectively, it helps identify potential ADHD cases and sets the stage for further in-depth assessment. Despite its strengths, it is crucial to remember that the WURS, like any screening test, should be part of a comprehensive diagnostic process conducted by a qualified healthcare professional.

WURS-25 Online Assessment

Question 1: Active, restless, always on the go

Question 2: Afraid of losing control of self

Question 3: Angry

Question 4: Anxious, worrying

Question 5: Concentration problems, easily distracted

Question 6: Depressed

Question 7: Disobedient with parents, rebellious, sassy

Question 8: Feeling misunderstood

Question 9: Guilty feelings, regretful

Question 10: Impulsive, act without thinking

Question 11: Tendency to be immature

Question 12: Irritable

Question 13: Moody, ups and downs

Question 14: Outbursts of temper, tantrums

Question 15: Poor relations with opposite sex

Question 16: Problems with authorities, trouble with school, visits to principal's office

Question 17: Ran away from home

Question 18: Stubborn, strong-willed

Question 19: Sad or blue, depressed, unhappy

Question 20: Trouble with police, booked, convicted

Question 21: Trouble seeing things from someone else's point of view

Question 22: Unpopular with other children, didn't keep friends for long, didn't get along with other children

Question 23: Overall a poor student, slow learner

Question 24: Trouble with math or numbers

Question 25: Not achieving up to potential

Frequently Asked Questions

How Scoring Works

The Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) is a retrospective self-report of childhood ADHD symptoms used to screen for possible adult ADHD. There are different WURS forms, but we use the WURS-25, which consists of 25 items specifically associated with ADHD.

Each item is scored on a scale of 0-4:

  • Not at all or very slightly - 0
  • Mildly - 1
  • Moderately - 2
  • Quite a bit - 3
  • Very Much - 4

The maximum possible score is 100. Research shows that a score of 36 or higher correctly identifies 96% of adults with ADHD and 96% without ADHD. Using a higher cutoff of 46 increases accuracy for identifying those without ADHD to 99%, while still correctly identifying 86% of adults with ADHD. While these scores suggest the possibility of ADHD, it's important to note that this is not a definitive diagnosis. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose ADHD after a comprehensive evaluation.

The WURS has a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 67%, making it a reliable screening tool. However, it should be used in conjunction with other assessment methods for a thorough evaluation.