Psychology RootsTable of Contents
The Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About The Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale
Scale Name
The Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale
Author Details
Stephen B. McCarney
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale (ECADDES) emerged from a critical need to accurately assess ADHD in very young children, aged 24 to 83 months (females) and 24 to 78 months (males). Prior to its development, diagnostic tools for ADHD lacked the sensitivity and specificity required for this crucial age group.
Recognizing the Gap:
In the early 1990s, Dr. Stephen B. McCarney, a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in childhood development and ADHD, observed a concerning gap in diagnostic instruments. Existing ADHD scales were primarily designed for older children and adolescents, failing to capture the nuances of attention and behavior displayed by toddlers and preschoolers. This led to misdiagnoses, missed diagnoses, and inadequate interventions for a vulnerable population.
Creating a Solution:
Driven by this need, Dr. McCarney embarked on a comprehensive research project. He consulted with leading experts in child development, neuropsychology, and education, drawing upon their insights and collective knowledge. He meticulously reviewed relevant research literature on ADHD in young children, focusing on behavioral characteristics, developmental milestones, and environmental factors.
The culmination of these efforts was the ECADDES, a groundbreaking tool specifically tailored for assessing ADHD in early childhood.
A Structured Approach:
The ECADDES adopts a two-pronged approach, comprising separate subscales:
- Inattentive Subscale: Evaluates a child’s ability to focus, sustain attention, follow instructions, and organize tasks. Items assess aspects like daydreaming, difficulty finishing activities, and losing track of belongings.
- Hyperactive-Impulsive Subscale: Captures a child’s level of motor activity, impulsivity, and restlessness. Items look at fidgeting, excessive talking, blurting out answers, and difficulty staying still.
Each subscale consists of 36 items rated on a 4-point scale, offering a nuanced picture of the child’s behavior across various settings and situations.
The Importance of Standardization:
Dr. McCarney recognized the significance of standardization in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the ECADDES. He meticulously normed the scale on a large and representative sample of young children. This allows for meaningful comparisons between scores obtained by individual children and the scores of other children of the same age and gender.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
The ECADDES is a valuable tool for assessing ADHD in young children, but proper administration is crucial for obtaining accurate and reliable results. Here’s a breakdown of the key steps involved:
- Choosing the appropriate version
- Understanding the rating scale
- Providing clear instructions
- Completing the questionnaire
Reliability and Validity
The Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale (ECADDES) has been extensively studied and demonstrates several key features of reliability and validity, making it a valuable tool for assessing ADHD in young children. Here’s a breakdown of its psychometric properties:
- Internal consistency: The ECADDES exhibits high internal consistency, meaning the items within each subscale measure the same underlying construct (ADHD symptoms) effectively. Coefficients for both subscales typically exceed 0.90, indicating strong internal consistency.
- Test-retest reliability: The ECADDES demonstrates good test-retest reliability, indicating that scores remain relatively stable over time when the assessments are repeated within a reasonable timeframe. Correlation coefficients exceeding 0.80 are observed for both subscales.
- Inter-rater reliability: The ECADDES shows moderate inter-rater reliability, meaning different caregivers or teachers provide reasonably consistent ratings of the child’s behavior. Coefficients typically range from 0.60 to 0.70, which is acceptable for informant-based rating scales.
- Content validity: The ECADDES demonstrates strong content validity, meaning the items on the scale are relevant and representative of the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD in early childhood. This was established through expert review and item development based on the latest research findings.
- Criterion-related validity: The ECADDES shows good concurrent validity with other established measures of ADHD in young children. Correlates with scales like the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders Test have been found significant, indicating the ECADDES measures similar constructs.
- Construct validity: The ECADDES exhibits evidence of construct validity, meaning it aligns with theoretical expectations about ADHD. Factor analysis typically confirms the two-factor structure (inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive) of the scale, supporting its theoretical underpinnings.
Limitations:
Despite its strengths, the ECADDES has some limitations:
- Informant-based: Reliance on caregiver or teacher ratings can introduce subjectivity and potential biases.
- Age range: The standardized norms are currently available for children aged 24-83 months (females) and 24-78 months (males), limiting its application to slightly older children.
- Cultural sensitivity: While efforts have been made to ensure cultural sensitivity, the original norms may not perfectly generalize to all populations.
Available Versions
80-Items
Reference
Kohli, R. (1997). The Early Childhood Attention Deficit Disorders Evaluation Scale (ECADDES). Psychology in the Schools, 34(3), 292-294.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it?
Tool for assessing ADHD in young children (24-83 months).
Versions?
Home (parent/caregiver) & School (teacher) versions.
Subscales?
Inattentive & Hyperactive-Impulsive.
Reliability?
Strong internal consistency & test-retest, moderate inter-rater.
Validity?
Good content, criterion, & construct validity.
Limitations?
Informant-based, age range, cultural sensitivity.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.
