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I created The FAAS-40 to assist with the more day to day traits in women with ADHD that often go dismissed or underrepresented in current scales.  

The FAAS-40 (Female Adult ADHD Scale) was developed by me to fill a gap. It reflects everyday experiences of adult females with ADHD traits, including shopping impulse, disorganisation, sensory overload, burnout, and late-diagnosis adaptations

FAAS-40 User Guide

Purpose and Background

The Female Adult ADHD Scale–40 (FAAS-40) was developed to address the gendered gaps in ADHD assessment tools, which are typically normed on male presentations. This scale was specifically designed based on female adult lived experience, practitioner insights, and evidence-based traits often under-recognised in existing measures.

Structure of the FAAS-40

The scale comprises 40 self-report items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=Never to  4 =Very Often), grouped into five subscales:

- Executive Function and Working Memory (EFWM)

- Emotional Dysregulation (EMO)

- Disorganisation and Daily Life (ORG)

- Impulsivity and Hyperfocus (IMP)

- Social Masking and Coping Strategies (SOC)

Scoring the FAAS-40

Each item is scored from 0 -4.  Subscale scores are calculated by summing the 8 item responses within each subscale (range: 8–40). The Total Score is the sum of all 40 item scores (range: 40–200).

Provisional Interpretation Bands

Based on pilot data (n = 200), the following provisional interpretation bands are recommended for research and clinical reflection. These are subject to further validation and should not be used for diagnostic purposes.

- 40–79: Low ADHD traits

- 80–119: Moderate ADHD traits

- 120–159: High ADHD traits (consider further assessment)

- 160–200: Very high ADHD traits (strong indication of functional impairment)  

Ethical Use

The FAAS-40 is designed for research and clinical screening use only. It should not be used in isolation to diagnose ADHD. Practitioners should interpret scores in the context of a full clinical history, functional impact, and co-occurring conditions. Researchers using the FAAS-40 should acknowledge its pilot status and cite the source appropriately.

How to Cite the FAAS-40

Until formally published, cite the FAAS-40 as follows:
Bains (2025). The Female Adult ADHD Scale–40 (FAAS-40). Unpublished pilot measure.

FAAS-40: Female Adult ADHD Scale (40-item)

A Trait-Based Screening Tool for ADHD-Related Difficulties in Adult Women

Please rate how often each of the following statements has applied to you over the past 6 months. Use the following

scale:

0 = Never

1 = Rarely

2= sometimes

3= Often

4: Always 

Section 1: Executive Function & Working Memory

1. I forget tasks almost immediately after Im told what to do.

2. I often need to re-read text because I lose focus mid-paragraph.

3. I start tasks but rarely finish them without getting distracted.

4. I lose track of what I was doing when interrupted.

5. I forget why I entered a room or opened an app.

6. I avoid tasks that require sustained attention.

7. I find it hard to follow multi-step instructions.

8. I frequently misplace necessary items (e.g., keys, charger, documents).

Section 2: Emotional Dysregulation

1. I feel overwhelmed by tasks that others find manageable.

2. I experience emotional outbursts I later regret.

3. I have intense reactions to small frustrations.

4. I feel mentally paralyzed when under stress.

5. I ruminate excessively after awkward or emotional interactions.

6. I feel emotionally drained after ordinary social exchanges.

7. I often feel guilt or shame for not 'having it together.'

8. My mood shifts rapidly based on small external changes.

Section 3: Disorganization & Daily Life

1. My home or workspace frequently fluctuates between very messy and briefly tidy.

2. I often leave shopping bags or deliveries unopened for days.

3. I create piles to 'organize' but they become clutter.

4. I forget what's in my fridge, pantry, or closet and overbuy.

5. I avoid cleaning or tidying because I dont know where to start.

6. I pay bills late even when I have the money.

7. I run out of essentials (e.g., toilet paper, milk) because I forget to replace them.

8. I often dont open important mail or emails.

Section 4: Impulsivity & Hyperfocus

1. I make impulsive purchases I later regret.

2. I hyperfocus on certain tasks and forget to eat, sleep, or respond to messages.

3. I start personal projects without thinking them through.

4. I drop hobbies shortly after starting them.

5. I spend more time preparing for a task than completing it.

6. I impulsively reorganize or declutter and leave a bigger mess.

7. I get 'hooked' on ideas or interests and obsess over them temporarily.

8. I often interrupt others unintentionally during conversations.

Section 5: Social Masking & Coping Strategies

1. I put in significant effort to appear organized or 'normal.'

2. I over-apologize for being late, disorganized, or forgetful.

3. I rely on visual reminders or alarms to function daily.

4. I feel like Im performing rather than being myself in professional settings.

5. I hide my real level of chaos from friends, coworkers, or family.

6. I feel ashamed asking for help with basic life tasks.

7. Ive been told I 'seem fine,' even when I feel overwhelmed.

8. I use lists, systems, or rituals just to stay afloat.

FAAS-40 Scoring Sheet

Use this sheet to score participant responses to the FAAS-40. Each item is rated from 0 (Never) to 4 (Very Often).

Enter each score in the corresponding column. Calculate subscale totals and the overall FAAS-40 Total Score.

Subscale

Item Numbers

Subscale Score (8–40)

EFWM (Executive Function and Working Memory)

Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8

EMO (Emotional Dysregulation)

Q9, Q10, Q11, Q12, Q13, Q14, Q15, Q16

ORG (Disorganisation and Daily Life)

Q17, Q18, Q19, Q20, Q21, Q22, Q23, Q24

IMP (Impulsivity and Hyperfocus)

Q25, Q26, Q27, Q28, Q29, Q30, Q31, Q32

SOC (Social Masking and Coping Strategies)

Q33, Q34, Q35, Q36, Q37, Q38, Q39, Q40

FAAS-40 Total Score (40–200): ________

This is not intended as a diagnostic tool and is for inforrmation purposes only.  
not to be reproduced without permission.