DIVA-5

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DIVA-5

Select your responses for each question in Part A & Part B. Adult traits need to be present for at least 6 months. Childhood refers to 5-12 years. For a trait to count, it needs to be ongoing and long-term, not something that comes and goes in episodes. Rate items as if you were doing them on your own without masking or supressing your natural responses, help, prompting, or supports (e.g., no alarms/apps, no reminders from others, no support worker, no body doubling).
Question 1

Do you often fail to give close attention to details, or do you make careless mistakes in your work or during other activities?
Makes careless mistakesWorks slowly to avoid mistakesWork is inaccurateDoes not read instructions properlyOverlooks or misses detailsTook much time to complete detailed tasksEasily bogged down by detailsWorks too quickly and therefore makes mistakes
Careless mistakes in schoolworkWorked slowly to avoid mistakesMistakes made by not reading questions properlyOverlooked or missed detailsWork was inaccurateLeft questions unanswered by not reading them properlyLeft the reverse side of tests unansweredOthers commented about careless workDidn't check the answers in homeworkToo much time needed to complete detailed tasks
Other examples or comments
Question 2

Do you often have difficulty sustaining your attention in tasks? *Unless the subject is found to be really interesting
Not able to keep attention on tasks for long*Difficulty remaining focused during lectures and/orconversationsQuickly distracted by own thoughts or associationsFinds it difficult to watch a film through to the end, or to read a book*Easily distracted by unrelated thoughtsQuickly becomes bored with things*Asks questions about subjects that have already been discussed
Difficulty keeping attention on schoolwork*Difficulty concentrating*Difficulty keeping attention on play*Needed structure to avoid becoming distractedDifficulty remaining focused during class and/or conversationsQuickly became bored of activities*Easily distracted
Other examples or comments
Question 3

Does it often seem as though you are not listening when you are spoken to directly?
Dreamy or preoccupiedOther saying that your thoughts are somewhere elseDifficulty concentrating on a conversationMind seems elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distractionAfterwards, not knowing what a conversation was aboutOften changing the subject of the conversation
Not knowing what parents/teacher have saidOften had to be addressed againDreamy or preoccupiedQuestions having to be repeatedOnly listened during eye contact or when a voice is raisedMind seemed elsewhere, even in the absence of any obvious distraction
Other examples or comments
Question 4

Do you often not follow through on instructions and often fail to finish chores or duties in the workplace?
Does things that are muddled up together without completing themDifficulty completing admin tasksStarts tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetrackedDifficulty following instructions from a manualNeeding a time limit or deadline to complete tasks
Difficulty following instructionsNot completing homework or handing it inDifficulty with instructions involving more than one stepNeeding a lot of structure in order to complete tasksStarted tasks but quickly loses focus and is easily sidetrackedNot completing things
Other examples or comments
Question 5

Do you often find it difficult to organise tasks and activities?
Difficulty with planning activities of daily lifeWork is messy and disorganisedDifficulty managing sequential tasksPlanning too many tasks or non-efficient planningHouse and/or workplace are disorganisedRegularly booking things to take place at the same time (double-booking)Difficulty keeping materials and belongings in orderArriving lateFails to meet deadlinesNot able to use an agenda or diary consistentlyInflexible because of the need to keep to schedulesPoor sense and management of timeCreating schedules but not using themNeeding other people to structure things
Difficulty being ready on timeDifficulty planning tasks or homeworkMessy room / desk and/or schoolworkFailed to meet deadlinesDifficulty keeping belongings in orderDid things in a muddled wayDifficulty playing aloneArrived latePoor sense of timeDifficulty keeping self entertained
Other examples or comments
Question 6

Do you often avoid (or do you dislike or are you reluctant to engage in) tasks that require sustained mental effort?
Do the easiest or nicest things first of allAvoids preparing reports, completing forms, or reviewing lengthy papersOften postpone boring or difficult tasksDo not like reading due to mental effortPostpone tasks so that deadlines are missedAvoidance of tasks that require a lot of concentrationAvoid monotonous work, such as admin
Avoidance of homework or had an aversion toOften postponed boring or difficult tasksRead few books or did not feel like reading due to mental effortAvoidance of tasks that required a lot of concentrationAversion to school subjects that required a lot of concentration
Other examples or comments
Question 7

Do you often lose things that are necessary for tasks or activities?
Mislays keys, phone, wallet, paperwork, glasses, tools etcGets in a panic if people move things aroundOften leaves things behindPuts things away in the wrong placeLoses paperworkLoses notes, lists or telephone numbersLoses a lot of time searching for thingsOr, has developed strict organisation systems in order to keep track of itemsLost things a lot in the past, but have since found ways to keep track of items
Often lost school materials, pencils, books, or other itemsComments from parents/teachers about things being lostOften mislaid toys, clothing, or homeworkSpent a lot of time searching for thingsGot in a panic if other people moved things around
Other examples or comments
Question 8

Are you often distracted by things around you?
Difficulty shutting off from external stimuliDifficulty filtering and/or selecting informationAfter being distracted, difficult to pick up the thread againEasily distracted by noise or eventsEasily distracted by the conversation of others
Difficulty shutting off from external stimuliDifficulty filtering and/or selecting informationAfter being distracted, difficult to pick up the thread againEasily distracted by noise or eventsEasily distracted by the conversation of others
Other examples or comments
Question 9

Are you often forgetful in daily activities?
Forgets appointments or other obligations (without reminders)Needs frequent reminders for appointmentsForgets keys, phone etcForgets to pay bills or to return callsReturning home to fetch forgotten thingsStrict use of lists to make sure things aren't forgottenForgets to keep or look at daily agendaForgets to do chores or errands
Forgetting instructionsHad to be frequently reminded of thingsForgetting to do choresHalf-way through a task, forgot what had to be doneForgot to take things to schoolLeft things behind at school or elsewhere
Other examples or comments
Question 10

Do you often fidget with or tap hands or feet, or do you often squirm in your seat?
Difficulty sitting stilFidgets or bounces legsTapping a pen or playing with somethingAble to control restlessness, but feels stressed as a result
Parents often said "sit still" or similarUnable to remain seated in a chair in a relaxed mannerFidgeted or bounced legsPen tapping, twirling, or clicking or playing with something
Other examples or comments
Question 11

Do you often leave your seat in situations where it is expected to remain seated?
Often leaving your place at work or home to move aroundStressed owing to the difficulty of sitting stillAvoiding sit-down lectures, meetings, classes, talks etcMaking excuses in order to be able to walk aroundPrefers to walk around rather than sitNever sits still for long, always moving around
Often stood up while eating or leaving your place in the classroomBeing told to remain seated or to sit downFound it very difficult to stay seated at school or during mealsMaking excuses to walk aroundFelt stressed or "cooped up" as a result of remaining seated for a time
Other examples or comments
Question 12

Do you often feel restless?
Feeling restless or agitated insideConstantly having the feeling that you have to be doing somethingFinding in hard to relax in the typical sense
Always running around where it was inappropriateFeeling restless insideClimbing on furniture, or jumping on the sofaClimbing in trees
Other examples or comments
Question 13

Do you often find it difficult to engage in leisure activities quietly?
Talks during activities or at places where it is not considered appropriateBeing loud-spoken in all kinds of situationsMakes a noise eg talks, hums, sings etc when doing activitiesDifficulty in speaking softlyBecoming overly confident in public situations.
Being loud-spoken during play or in the classroomUnable to watch TV quietlyOften asked to be quieter or calm downBecoming overly confident in public situations
Other examples or comments
Question 14

Are you often "on the go" or like you can’t slow down?
Always busy doing somethingFinding it difficult to let things go, excessively drivenHas a lot of energy, always on the moveOthers find you restless or hard to keep up withPushing past your own limits, overextending yourself
Constantly busyLots of energyOthers finding you restless or hard to keep up withPlayed a lot of sports or did a lot of physical activitiesUncomfortable sitting still for extended periods of timeWas always on the go
Other examples or comments
Question 15

Do you find yourself talking a lot?
Others finding it tiring when you talk a lotTendency to talk a lotKnown to be a talkerFinding that others don't have room during a conversationFinding it hard to stop talkingNeeding a lot of words to say something
Knows as a chatterboxComments in school reports about talking too much or distracting othersTeachers and parents often asked you to be quietBeing punished for talking too muchKeeping others from doing schoolwork by talking too muchNot giving others room during a conversation
Other examples or comments
Question 16

Do you notice that often your thoughts can come out quickly, even before the other person has finished talking?
Saying what you're thinking without much filterCompleting other people's sentencesSaying things without thinking firstRegretting what you said afterwardsAnswering people before they have finished speaking
Said what you were thinking without much filterWanted to be the first to answer questions in schoolEagerly answered questions even if it was wrongInterrupted others before sentences were finishedHard to wait turn in conversations
Other examples or comments
Question 17

Do you often find awaiting your turn difficult?
Difficult waiting in line, jumping the queueFeeling impatient waiting in traffic/traffic jamsFeeling impatient oftenQuickly starting relationships or jobs, or ending them quickly because of impatience
Difficulty waiting turn in group activitiesCrossed the road without lookingDifficulty waiting turn in the classroomBecame impatient quickly
Other examples or comments
Question 18

Do you often find yourself getting involved in what others are doing, even if they haven’t invited you?
Takes over other people's tasks without being askedDifficulty respecting the boundaries of othersHaving an opinion about everything and expressing this immediatelyComments from others about interference
Interrupted the games or activities of othersDifficulty waitingStarted using people's things with asking or permissionInterrupted the conversation of othersReacted to everything
Other examples or comments
Do you find yourself using any of the following strategies to make up for or compensate for your challenges?
Using background noise or music to help with focus or to sleepOverworking so you can keep upBeing hyperorganised to keep things in order and remember things"Body doubling" - doing tasks alongside someone else as a way to get things doneOutsourcing tasks to reduce the load eg cleaners, meal kits, admin helpUsing self-talk to keep yourself on track and remember the steps of a taskOveruse of organisational apps eg having multiple apps to remember thingsWriting notes to manage anxiety about forgetting thingsPairing unpleasant tasks with a reward or something enjoyableReliance on accountability partners, study groups, or co-working spaces to stay on taskSetting artificial deadlines to activate motivationUsing novelty or variety to engage interest in tasks (eg new stationery, new routine, new playlist etc)Alternating between multiple tasks to maintain interestUsing times, gamified apps, or rewards systems for basic tasksSetting reminders in order to remember tasks or manage timeSelf-monitoring during conversations to make sure you don't: interrupt, give your opinion too quickly, talk over others, show your emotions and appear "too much"
Other examples or comments
In which areas do you have/have you had problems with the above experiences?
Emotions and self-confidence
Rapid changes in feelings or moodShame and self-criticism cycles after making mistakes or perceived failuresQuick to frustration or angerSupressing or hiding emotion reactions from others to appear "together" or in controlFrequently feeling overwhelmed from everyday responsibilitiesNegative self-image due to experiences of failureDistressed by the traits of ADHDNegative self-image through negative comments from othersSelf-esteem low due to inconsistent motivation and energyFear of starting new things due to concerns about failing
Daily living
It's hard to form automatic habitsManaging money - overspending or impulsive spending or debt accumulation or missed billsPeriods of hyperfocus or becoming very wrapped up in a topic, project, activity, or purchase (and losing interest some time later)Difficulty with long-term planning, eg saving money, superannuation, tax, career goals)Negative self-image due to experiences of failureSleep disturbance eg hard to get to sleep, waking and hard to get back to sleepNegative self-image through negative comments from othersGood or calm in a crisisFear of starting new things due to concerns about failingA "busy brain" that does not stop thinking or worryingMissing meals due to being so wrapped up in what you are doingOveruse or high use of stimulants eg coffee, energy drinksRisky driving or a history of speeding finesEmotional eating cyclesBurnout and recovery cyclesAddiction or risk of addiction (in the past or now) ie feeling out of control with alcohol, drugs, gaming, eating, internet, sex etc)
Work / education
Did not complete education/training needed for workTire quickly of a workplaceWork below level of educationPattern of many short-lasting jobsDifficulty with admin/planningNot achieving KPI's or promotionsUnder-performing at workLeft work following arguments or dismissalSickness benefits/disability benefit as a result of symptomsLimited impairment through compensation of high IQLimited impairment through compensation of external structureTook longer to complete education
Lower education level than expected based on IQRequired extra learning supportsStaying back (repeating classes)Comments from teachers about behaviour or concentrationEducation not completed/rejected from schoolLimited impairment through compensation of high IQTook much longer to complete education than usualLimited impairment through compensation of external structureAchieved education suited to IQ with a lot of effortDifficulty doing homework
Other examples or comments
Relationship and/or family
Tire quickly of relationshipsProblems with upbringing as a result of symptomsImpulsively starting or ending relationshipsUnequal partner relationship due to symptomsFinancial problems or gamblingRelationship problems, lots of arguments, lack of intimacyDivorced owing to symptomsNot daring to start a relationshipProblems with sexuality as a result of symptoms
Frequent arguments with brothers or sistersFrequent punishmentsLittle contact with family on account of conflictsParents helped for longer than would typically be the case
Social contacts
Get bored quickly of peopleConflicts as a result of communication approachNot being attentive eg forgetting to contact or replyPeople pleasing to avoid criticism or rejectionSocial fatigue due to managing impulsivity within conversations
Conflicts as a result of social approachBeing teasedFew friendsBeing a bullyShut out by, or not allowed to do things with a group
Free time / hobbies
Unable to relax properly during free timeDoing multiple things at once when relaxing eg on phone while watching TVHaving to be very physically active in order to relaxBeing continually busy and becoming overtired or burnt outGet bored of hobbies quickly
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Question 18

Do you find yourself using any of the following strategies to make up for or compensate for your challenges?

In which areas do you have/have you had problems with the above experiences?

Emotions and self-confidence

Daily living

Work / education

Relationship and/or family

Social contacts

Free time / hobbies