The Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale - Short Form (BDEFS-SF) is a self-report questionnaire developed by Russell A. Barkley to assess everyday impairments in executive functioning (EF) in adults. It evaluates difficulties in self-management that are commonly associated with ADHD and related conditions.

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental processes that help people plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and manage multiple tasks. Deficits in these areas can significantly affect daily life, work, and relationships.

What the BDEFS-SF Measures

The 20 items cover five key domains of executive self-regulation:

• Self-management to time (time sense, procrastination)
• Self-organization and problem solving
• Self-restraint (inhibition and impulsivity)
• Self-motivation (drive and persistence)
• Self-regulation of emotions

Scores range from 20 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater deficits in executive functioning.

How Scores Are Interpreted

Scores are compared against age-normed cutoffs. A score above the threshold for your age group is consistent with ADHD-related executive functioning deficits.

• Ages 18-34: score > 48 consistent with ADHD
• Ages 35-49: score > 51 consistent with ADHD
• Ages 50-64: score > 48 consistent with ADHD
• Ages 65+: score > 40 consistent with ADHD

Instructions

How often do you experience each of these problems? Please select the choice that best describes your behavior during the past 6 months. Please note some questions have further explanations below the choices.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Not a diagnosis: This is a screening tool only. It cannot determine whether you have ADHD or any other condition.
• Professional evaluation: If your score suggests significant deficits and you experience meaningful impairment, consult a qualified clinician.