The psychometric properties of the Attention-Distraction, Inhibition-Excitation Classroom Assessment Scale (ADIECAS) in a sample of children with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities.
ADIECAS is a valid teacher scale for spotting ADHD-type attention problems in students with moderate to severe intellectual disability.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Guerin et al. (2009) asked teachers to fill out the ADIECAS form for children with moderate and severe intellectual disability.
The team checked if the scores lined up with the Evans and Hogg attention model and with Conners ratings.
They wanted a quick teacher tool that spots ADHD-like attention problems in kids who already have ID.
What they found
The ADIECAS factor structure matched the Evans and Hogg model.
Scores also agreed well with Conners ratings, showing the scale is valid for this group.
Teachers can now flag attention trouble in children with ID using one short form.
How this fits with other research
Matson et al. (2004) showed five years earlier that teacher ABC-C ratings already worked for ADHD in kids with mental retardation.
Schaaf et al. (2015) later built the SAID, the first scale made just for ADHD symptoms in children with ID, giving teachers an updated option.
Sajith et al. (2008) stretched the same idea to adults, using the CAARS to screen for ADHD in adults with ID.
Together these papers form a chain: early proof, child-focused refinement, then adult extension.
Why it matters
You now have a choice: use ADIECAS for a quick classroom snapshot, or pick the newer SAID if you want a scale built exactly for ADHD plus ID. Either way, teacher input is solid gold—no extra testing kit needed. Start with one teacher form before you refer out.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Hand the ADIECAS to the teacher for any child with ID you suspect has attention issues—score it before planning further assessment.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
The Attention-Distraction, Inhibition-Excitation Classroom Assessment Scale (ADIECAS) [Evans, P. L. C. (1975). Inhibition and stimulus generalization in the discrimination learning of ESN(S) and ESN(M) children. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. Manchester, UK: University of Manchester] assesses attention-related difficulties in children with intellectual disabilities (ID). The present study explored the psychometric properties of the ADIECAS with a sample of 84 children with moderate and severe ID whose teachers completed the ADIECAS and the Conners' Teachers Rating Scale [Goyette, C. H, Conners, C. K., & Ulrich, R. F. (1978). Normative data on revised Conners' parent and teachers rating scales. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6, 221-236]. Following factor analysis the Evans and Hogg [Evans, P. L. C., & Hogg, J. (1984). A classroom rating scale for use with mentally retarded children. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 23, 187-194] structure was the most appropriate for use with this sample. Moderate to strong positive relationships were found between the ADIECAS and the Conners', and the ADIECAS factors were significant predictors of the Conners' subscales. This study provides further support for the ADIECAS as a reliable and valid measure of ADHD-related symptoms among children with moderate and severe ID.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2009 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2008.10.003