A small squared-shaped logo of brain, representing the Recallify brand
Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin X-twitter

Children's ADHD Rating Scale (SNAP-IV): Parent Version

If you are concerned that your child may have ADHD, a structured rating scale can help you describe their behaviour clearly before speaking with a professional. The SNAP-IV is one of the most widely used parent and teacher rating scales for children’s ADHD symptoms. It was used in the landmark MTA Cooperative Group study, the largest clinical trial of ADHD treatments ever conducted, and maps directly onto the DSM criteria for ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

This version is for parents. You rate your child’s behaviour across 26 statements. It takes about five minutes and gives you an immediate breakdown across three areas: inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional behaviour. If you are also wondering about your own attention and focus, you may find our adult ADHD self-assessment (ASRS) useful.

Rate Your Child on the SNAP-IV

Recallify logo

Children's ADHD Rating Scale (SNAP-IV)

Parent rating · 26 items · Rate your child · 5 minutes

About this scale: The SNAP-IV is a widely used parent and teacher rating scale based on the DSM criteria for ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). It was revised by Swanson, Nolan & Pelham and used in the landmark MTA Cooperative Group study. This is not a diagnosis — it is a structured way for parents to describe their child's behaviour to support discussion with a clinician.

Instructions: For each statement, select the option that best describes your child's behaviour. Answer based on what you have observed recently.

Your answers are not stored or transmitted. Everything runs in your browser.

Inattention — Items 1–9 of 26
1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or tasks.
2. Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
3. Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
4. Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties.
5. Often has difficulty organising tasks and activities.
6. Often avoids, dislikes, or reluctantly engages in tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
7. Often loses things necessary for activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, or books).
8. Often is distracted by extraneous stimuli.
9. Often is forgetful in daily activities.
Hyperactivity / Impulsivity — Items 10–18 of 26
10. Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
11. Often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected.
12. Often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate.
13. Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
14. Often is "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor."
15. Often talks excessively.
16. Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
17. Often has difficulty awaiting turn.
18. Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g. butts into conversations or games).
Oppositional Behaviour — Items 19–26 of 26
19. Often loses temper.
20. Often argues with adults.
21. Often actively defies or refuses adult requests or rules.
22. Often deliberately does things that annoy other people.
23. Often blames others for his or her mistakes or misbehaviour.
24. Often is touchy or easily annoyed by others.
25. Often is angry and resentful.
26. Often is spiteful or vindictive.

Your Child's SNAP-IV Results

Subscale scores are shown as the average rating per item (0 to 3). Higher averages indicate more frequent symptoms.

Inattention

Items 1–9: attention to detail, sustaining focus, listening, organisation, forgetfulness

0
avg / 3

Hyperactivity / Impulsivity

Items 10–18: fidgeting, leaving seat, running about, talking excessively, interrupting

0
avg / 3

Oppositional Defiant

Items 19–26: temper, arguing, defiance, deliberately annoying others, anger

0
avg / 3

Supporting Your Child's Organisation and Memory

Children with ADHD traits often struggle with remembering instructions, organising tasks, and following through. Recallify helps by capturing information through voice, extracting tasks automatically, and providing structured reminders so your child (and you) can stay on top of things.

Download for iOS Download for Android
Important: This scale uses the SNAP-IV developed by Swanson, Nolan & Pelham. It is a structured observation tool for parents and teachers, not a diagnosis. ADHD and ODD can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional following a comprehensive assessment. If your child's scores concern you, please speak with your GP or paediatrician, who can refer for specialist assessment.
Swanson JM, Kraemer HC, Hinshaw SP, et al. Clinical relevance of the primary findings of the MTA. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2001;40(2):168–179.

What Does the SNAP-IV Measure?

The SNAP-IV covers 26 behaviours organised into three subscales. Items 1 to 9 cover the DSM criteria for ADHD Inattention (difficulty sustaining attention, not listening, losing things, being easily distracted). Items 10 to 18 cover ADHD Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (fidgeting, running about, talking excessively, interrupting). Items 19 to 26 cover Oppositional Defiant Disorder (losing temper, arguing, defying rules, being spiteful), which is included because ODD frequently co-occurs with ADHD.

The scale was revised by Swanson, Nolan and Pelham and has been validated across numerous clinical and community samples worldwide.

How Is the SNAP-IV Scored?

Each item is rated 0 (not at all) to 3 (very much). Subscale scores are calculated as the average rating per item, giving a score between 0 and 3 for each area. The screening thresholds shown in our results are based on the [95th percentile from published parent-rating norms: 1.78 for Inattention, 1.44 for Hyperactivity/Impulsivity, and 1.88 for Oppositional Defiant. A score at or above the threshold means your child’s behaviour in that area is more frequent than 95% of same-age peers, which may warrant further assessment.

What Should I Do With These Results?

If one or more of your child’s subscale scores is above the threshold, it is worth discussing this with your GP or paediatrician. You can print or screenshot the results page to share. The SNAP-IV is not a diagnosis; it is a structured way of describing behaviour that clinicians find useful. A formal [ADHD assessment](https://recallify.ai/adhd-apps/) involves a comprehensive evaluation including developmental history, reports from school, and often direct observation. The SNAP-IV can be a helpful first step in that conversation.

How Recallify Helps Families With Organisation

Children with ADHD traits often struggle with the exact behaviours measured by the SNAP-IV: forgetting instructions, losing things, difficulty organising tasks. Recallify can help the whole family by capturing instructions and reminders through voice, automatically extracting tasks, and providing structured daily planning so that nothing falls through the cracks. Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or not, reducing the organisational burden helps everyone.

iOS App

Get Recallify from App Store today.

A rectangular download button icon for the Apple App Store

Android App

Get Recallify from Google Play  today.

A rectangular play button icon of the Google play store

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this test diagnose my child with ADHD?

No. The SNAP-IV is a structured rating scale that helps you describe your child’s behaviour in a standardised way. ADHD can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional (paediatrician, child psychiatrist, or clinical psychologist) following a comprehensive assessment.

Yes. The SNAP-IV was designed for both parent and teacher ratings. Teacher ratings are especially useful because they provide a different context (school vs home). You could print or share the page link with your child’s teacher and compare results.

The SNAP-IV is typically used for children aged 6 to 18. It is based on DSM criteria which apply to school-age children and adolescents.

ODD can occur with or without ADHD. If your child’s oppositional scores are elevated, it is still worth discussing with a professional, as ODD has its own assessment and management pathways.

No. This tool runs entirely in your browser. No answers or scores are stored, transmitted, or shared.

A small squared-shaped logo of brain, representing the Recallify brand
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin
Contact Us
  • +44 2080580215
  • Info@recallify.ai
Useful Links

Copyright © 2026 tinie.ai

Scroll to Top
Recallify
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.