Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) Overview The Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scales (WFIRS) assesses symptoms and to what degree an individual s behavior or emotional problems impact various clinically-relevant domains of functioning. Although ADHD symptoms and actual impairment are distinct concepts, it is informative to measure both since some patients are highly symptomatic but not impaired or vice versa. The WFIRS contains items that are most likely to represent the patient's target of treatment and therefore has utility when used to assess treatment efficacy. The WFIRS is designed to determine not only if the ADHD has improved, but if the patient's functional difficulties are also better. Measures Clinically-Relevant Domains of Functioning Self-report (Adult/Adolescent) and Parent-report versions Well Suited for Routine Monitoring of Efficacy The WFIRS is psychometrically sound, easily accessible and simple to interpret. The clinical utility of the WFIRS has been demonstrated in multiple clinical studies and described in journal articles since its introduction. 1,2,3 The instrument has been translated into 18 languages, used in many studies, and psychometrically validated. Use in Determining Treatment Outcomes This functional impairment rating scale effectively quantifies the level of functioning in relevant domains and can be used to systematically monitor improvements and inform treatment decisions. The WFIRS can be completed in less than 15 minutes, making it ideal to easily gather information on a routine basis. WEISS FUNTIONAL IMPAIRMENT RATING SCALE- SELF The Weiss self-report version is appropriate for adolescent and adult report of functional impairment associated with ADHD. It contains 68 items spanning six functional domains: Home Activities of Daily Living Self-Concept Social Activities Learning & Work Risky Activities WEISS FUNTIONAL IMPAIRMENT RATING SCALE- PARENT The Weiss parent-based version is to be completed by the parent/guardian of a child. It contains 50 items spanning six functional domains. Family Child s Self-Concept Learning & School Social Activities Life Skills Risky Activities 1 Maziade M, Rouleau N, Lee B, Rogers A, Davis L, Dickson R. Atomoxetine and neuropsychological function in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: results of a pilot study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2009 Dec;19(6):709-18. doi: 10.1089/cap.2008.0166. 2 Weiss M, The Unique Aspects of Assessment of ADHD. Primary Psychiatry. 2010;17(5):21-25. 3 Hantson J, Wang PP, Grizenko-Vida M, Ter-Stepanian M, Harvey W, Joober R, Grizenko N. Effectiveness of a therapeutic summer camp for children with ADHD: Phase I Clinical Intervention Trial. J Atten Disord. 2012 Oct;16(7):610-7. doi: 10.1177/1087054711416800. Epub 2011 Aug 19.
WEISS FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT RATING SCALE SELF REPORT (WFIRS-S) Circle the number for the rating that best describes how your emotional or behavioural problems have affected each item in the last month. Question A. Family Never or not at all 0, sometimes or somewhat 1, often or much 2, very often or very much 3, NA 1 Having problems with family 2 Having problems with spouse/partner 3 Relying on others to do things for you 4 Causing fighting in the family 5 Makes it hard for the family to have fun together 6 Problems taking care of your family 7 Problems balancing your needs against those of your family 8 Problems losing control with family B. Work 1 Problems performing required duties 2 Problems with getting your work done efficiently 3 Problems with your supervisor 4 Problems keeping a job 5 Getting fired from work 6 Problems working in a team 7 Problems with your attendance 8 Problems with being late 9 Problems taking on new tasks 10 Problems working to your potential 11 Poor performance evaluations C. School 1 Problems taking notes 2 Problems completing assignments 3 Problems getting your work done efficiently 4 Problems with teachers 5 Problems with school administrators 6 Problems meeting minimum requirements to stay in school 7 Problems with attendance 8 Problems with being late 9 Problems with working to your potential 10 Problems with inconsistent grades D. Life Skills 1 Excessive or inappropriate use of internet, video games or TV 2 Problems keeping an acceptable appearance 3 Problems getting ready to leave the house 4 Problems getting to bed 5 Problems with nutrition
6 Problems with sex 7 Problems with sleeping 8 Getting hurt or injured 9 Avoiding exercise 10 Problems keeping regular appointments with doctor/dentist 11 Problems keeping up with household chores 12 Problems managing money E. Self-Concept 1 Feeling bad about yourself 2 Feeling frustrated with yourself 3 Feeling discouraged 4 Not feeling happy with your life 5 Feeling incompetent F. Social 1 Getting into arguments 2 Trouble cooperating 3 Trouble getting along with people 4 Problems having fun with other people 5 Problems participating in hobbies 6 Problems making friends 7 Problems keeping friends 8 Saying inappropriate things 9 Complaints from neighbours G. Risk 1 Aggressive driving 2 Doing other things while driving 3 Road rage 4 Breaking or damaging things 5 Doing things that are illegal 6 Being involved with the police 7 Smoking cigarettes 8 Smoking marijuana 9 Drinking alcohol 10 Taking "street" drugs 11 Sex without protection (birth control, condom) 12 Sexually inappropriate behaviour 13 Being physically aggressive 14 Being verbally aggressive
WEISS FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT RATING SCALE PARENT REPORT Circle the number for the rating that best describes how your child's emotional or behavioural problems have affected each item in the last month. Question A. Family 1 Having problems with brothers & sisters 2 Causing problems between parents 3 Takes time away from family members work or activities 4 Causing fighting in the family 5 Isolating the family from friends and social activities 6 Makes it hard for the family to have fun together 7 Makes parenting difficult 8 Makes it hard to give fair attention to all family members 9 Provokes others to hit or scream at him/her 10 Costs the family more money B. School Learning 1 Makes it difficult to keep up with schoolwork 2 Needs extra help at school 3 Needs tutoring 4 Receives grades that are not as good as his/her ability Behavior 1 Causes problems for the teacher in the classroom 2 Receives time-out or removal from the classroom 3 Having problems in the school yard 4 Receives detentions (during or after school) 5 Suspended or expelled from school 6 Misses classes or is late for school C. Life Skills 1 Excessive use of TV, computer, or video games 2 Keeping clean, brushing teeth, brushing hair, bathing, etc. 3 Problems getting ready for school 4 Problems getting ready for bed 5 Problems with eating (picky eater, junk food) 6 Problems with sleeping 7 Gets hurt or injured 8 Avoids exercise 9 Needs more medical care 10 Has trouble taking medication, getting needles or visiting the doctor/dentist D. Child's Self Concept 1 My child feels bad about himself/herself 2 My child does not have enough fun
3 My child is not happy with his/her life E. Social Activities 1 Being teased or bullied by other children 2 Teases or bullies other children 3 Problems getting along with other children 4 Problems participating in after-school activities (sports, music, clubs) 5 Problems making new friends 6 Problems keeping friends 7 Difficulty with parties (not invited, avoids them, misbehaves) F. Risky Activities 1 Easily led by other children (peer pressure) 2 Breaking or damaging things 3 Doing things that are illegal 4 Being involved with the police 5 Smoking cigarettes 6 Taking illegal drugs 7 Doing dangerous things 8 Causes injury to others 9 Says mean or inappropriate things 10 Sexually inappropriate behaviour