Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25)
Retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD symptoms for adult diagnosis.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The WURS-25 was developed by Ward, Wender, and Reimherr (1993) to address a core requirement of ADHD diagnosis: evidence of childhood-onset symptoms. Since DSM-5 requires that symptoms were present before age 12, clinicians need a way to assess childhood ADHD in adults who may not have been diagnosed as children.
Scoring & Interpretation
Each item scored 0 (Not at all / Very slightly) to 4 (Very much). Total score: sum of 25 items, range 0–100. A cut-off of 46 correctly identified 86% of ADHD patients and 99% of controls in the validation study.
| Score Range | Severity | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 | Low | Childhood ADHD symptoms unlikely |
| 21–45 | Borderline | Some childhood difficulties — gather corroborative history |
| 46–100 | Elevated | Consistent with childhood ADHD — supports current diagnosis |
Sensitivity 86%, specificity 99% at cut-off of 46 (Ward et al., 1993). Internal consistency: α = 0.95. Discriminates ADHD patients from controls (d = 2.1) and from depression-only patients (d = 1.4). Validated in 15+ languages.
When to Use This vs Alternatives
Use ASRS when…
You need to assess CURRENT ADHD symptoms. The ASRS measures symptom frequency over the past 6 months; the WURS-25 measures CHILDHOOD symptoms recalled retrospectively. Use both together for the full diagnostic picture (current + developmental history).
View ASRS →Use WFIRS-S when…
You need to document current functional impairment. The WFIRS-S measures how ADHD affects life NOW; the WURS-25 establishes that difficulties were present IN CHILDHOOD. Different time frames, complementary purposes.
View WFIRS-S →Use ADHD-FIS when…
You're monitoring treatment progress. The WURS-25 is a one-time assessment (childhood history doesn't change); the ADHD-FIS is for repeated measurement of current impairment over time.
View ADHD-FIS →See It in Action
- 1Total score with validated cut-off threshold (46)
- 2Above/below cut-off clinical indicator
- 3Individual question responses with scoring badges
- 4One-click PDF export and email delivery
What It Measures
The WURS-25 was developed by Ward, Wender, and Reimherr (1993) to address a core requirement of ADHD diagnosis: evidence of childhood-onset symptoms. Since DSM-5 requires that symptoms were present before age 12, clinicians need a way to assess childhood ADHD in adults who may not have been diagnosed as children. The WURS-25 asks adults to retrospectively rate 25 behaviours from their childhood, covering attention difficulties, hyperactivity, impulsivity, academic problems, and emotional dysregulation.
When to Use the WURS-25
Use the WURS-25 after current ADHD symptoms are confirmed (e. g., positive ASRS screen). Administer to establish the developmental history required for DSM-5 diagnosis. Particularly important for late-diagnosed adults who were not assessed in childhood — the WURS-25 provides structured evidence of childhood symptom presence.
Who It's For
Adults aged 18+ recalling their childhood behaviours (up to age 12). Self-report. Validated in clinical populations seeking ADHD evaluation. Note: retrospective self-report has inherent limitations — corroborative information (school reports, parent recall) strengthens the assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WURS-25?
The WURS-25 (Wender Utah Rating Scale) is a 25-item self-report questionnaire that asks adults to retrospectively rate their childhood behaviours (before age 12). It assesses whether ADHD symptoms were present in childhood — a requirement for adult ADHD diagnosis under DSM-5.
What is the WURS-25 cut-off score?
A total score of 46 or above (out of 100) is the validated cut-off for childhood ADHD. This threshold correctly identifies 86% of ADHD patients (sensitivity) and 99% of controls (specificity) in the original validation study.
Why is childhood history important for adult ADHD diagnosis?
DSM-5 requires that several ADHD symptoms were present before age 12 for a valid adult diagnosis. The WURS-25 provides structured evidence of childhood symptoms, particularly important for adults who were never assessed as children and may not have school reports available.
Use the WURS-25 in your practice
New accounts get 30 days of full Professional access, no card. After that it is on the Starter plan, with instant scoring, severity bands and PDF reports. Scored the moment patients submit.