Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder. Research suggests that ADHD is 4 to 9 times more frequent in males than females, and the possibility of underidentification in females and overidentification in males has been suggested as an explanation for these statistics. As part of the diagnostic process, teachers are frequently asked to complete behavior rating scales. There is a lack of empirical data concerning the extent to which gender differences are evident on such rating scales. This study investigated the use of the ADHD-IV Rating Scale-School Version, with male and female students from ages 5 to 18 years. Results suggest that the ADHD construct is consistent across gender; however, there are differences across gender and ethnicity. For Caucasian children, externalizing behaviors are most salient in terms of discriminating between males and females. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Article: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that is frequently brought to the attention of physicians and psychologists to conduct evaluations due to behavioral concerns of both teachers and parents (Breen & Altepeter, 1990). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994),ADHD is characterized by a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is exhibited to an extreme level, such that it is developmentally inappropriate relative to a person's age. It occurs in an estimated 3% to 5% of school-age children. The most evident difference between males and females with ADHD is the higher rate at which males are diagnosed. Male-to-female ratios range from 4:1 to 9:1, depending upon whether community-based or clinical samples are used (APA, 1994). In fact, the behaviors used to define the symptomatology of ADHD in the DSM-IV were identified from a sample pool composed predominately of males (Frick et al., 1994; Lahey et al., 1994). Several hypotheses have been offered to explain the disproportionate frequency of males with ADHD. These hypothesis tend to rely on biological or child-rearing differences by gender (see,

Objective Behavioral Survey of Traits (BeST; Andrews & Robins, 2010) is a measure used to detect behavior profiles consistent with prenatal alcohol exposure in children. This study sought to create a control group of neurotypical individuals over the age of 18, to assess reliability of adapted BeST Adult-Self-Report (BeST-ASR) and Adult-Other (BeST-AO). Methods A sample (n = 51, paired sample n = 23) of neurotypical adults were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional study. Participants (ages 20–60, M = 33.6, SD = 14.4) included 13 women and 10 men with 82.6% identifying as White/European-American, 8.7% Black or African American, and 8.7% Mixed-Race. Each participant provided demographics and completed a BeST-ASR for themselves, and asked another individual who knew them well to complete BeST-AO. Results For the paired sample, a total score for BeST-ASR (M = 49.5, SD = 12.9) and the BeST-AO (M = 23.5, SD =10.8) were calculated. No significant differences were found for age or gender on the screeners. BeST-ASR and BeST-AO total scores were significantly different (ASR M = 51.3, AO M = 23). Measures of internal consistency produced a Cronbach’s Alpha (α = 0.84) for the BeST-ASR and a (α = 0.89) for the BeST-AO. Conclusion The BeST is an established measure used to screen behavior profiles consistent with FASD. The adult adapted screeners were found to have high internal consistency with a neurotypical sample. Differences evaluated between the self and other needs further study, which is consistent in a probation sample (Mushlitz, 2019). Overall, high internal consistency is encouraging and warrants further study to understand scores in a neurotypical adult sample.