What is the DIVA-5?
Quick answer
DIVA-5 is a structured diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults. In Canada, it may be used during an ADHD assessment to help a licensed clinician review symptoms, childhood history, and impairment in a consistent way alongside DSM-5-TR criteria. It is part of assessment, not treatment, and not every assessment results in an ADHD diagnosis.
DIVA-5 is a structured ADHD interview
DIVA-5 stands for the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults, 5th edition. It is a clinician-guided interview designed to help assess whether an adult’s presentation is consistent with ADHD by reviewing symptoms in a structured, standard way.
The interview was developed around the ADHD diagnostic framework in the DSM-5 and may be used within an assessment process that is interpreted using current DSM-5-TR criteria and clinical judgment. The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR updates page is the public source commonly used to confirm that DSM-5-TR is the current manual baseline. If that term is unfamiliar, see What does DSM-5-TR mean?.
DIVA-5 is not a treatment, and it is not a stand-alone proof that someone has ADHD. It is one tool a qualified clinician may use as part of a full assessment.
It checks symptoms, history and impact
The interview is meant to cover more than a quick symptom checklist. It usually helps the clinician look at current symptoms, whether similar patterns were present earlier in life, and whether those symptoms cause real impairment in daily functioning.
- Inattention symptoms in day-to-day life
- Hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms in day-to-day life
- Examples from childhood and adulthood
- Impact on school, work, home, relationships, finances, or organisation
- Whether another issue might better explain the symptoms, or whether more than one issue may be present
That structure matters because ADHD assessment is not just about recognising traits. The clinician also has to judge context, severity, impairment, and alternative explanations.
It fits into the assessment stage
In the care pathway, DIVA-5 appears during assessment. It may be used before any treatment discussion, workplace paperwork, or school accommodation planning.
In private ADHD assessments, a structured interview like DIVA-5 may be one part of the clinician’s process.
For teens aged 12 to 17 in select provinces, assessment is available separately through /adhd-assessments-for-teens/. A structured interview may still be part of the process, but youth care has its own consent and family-involvement considerations.
It is not a screener or report card
DIVA-5 is different from a brief screener that suggests whether ADHD should be explored further. A screener can flag possible symptoms, but it does not diagnose ADHD.
It is also different from rating scales completed by the patient or another person. Those tools can add useful information, but a structured interview lets the clinician ask follow-up questions and check examples against diagnostic criteria.
| Tool type | Main use | What it does not do alone |
|---|---|---|
| DIVA-5 structured interview | Guides a full clinical ADHD interview | Does not replace clinician judgment or rule out other conditions by itself |
| Brief screener, such as the ASRS | Flags whether assessment may be worth discussing | Does not diagnose ADHD |
| Rating scale, such as the CAARS | Adds symptom reports from forms or questionnaires | Does not establish diagnosis on its own |
You may hear the term in records
People often come across the term when reading an assessment summary, preparing for an appointment, or comparing clinic processes. If a clinician says they use DIVA-5, it usually means the interview process is structured rather than informal.
That can be helpful for consistency, especially when the goal is to document symptoms clearly for assessment, follow-up planning, or discussions related to work or school functioning. It does not automatically mean benefits, academic accommodations, or workplace supports will be approved, because each organisation may ask for specific documentation.
If symptoms overlap with anxiety, depression, substance use, or safety concerns, the clinician may need a broader review before making diagnostic decisions. If you or your teen need help now because of self-harm, suicide, substance use, anxiety, or depression, call or text 9-8-8 in Canada, or call 911 in an emergency.
Related terms
Common questions
Related questions, answered
No. DIVA-5 is a structured interview used during assessment. A diagnosis depends on the full clinical picture, including symptom pattern, impairment, history, and whether another condition may better explain the concerns. A qualified clinician has to interpret the interview in context.
A licensed clinician assessing adult ADHD may use it as part of a structured evaluation. The exact clinician can vary by setting and province. If you are booking private care, it is reasonable to ask what assessment tools are used and how the final decision is made.
Not in the way it is intended to be used. DIVA-5 is designed as a clinician-led interview, not a self-diagnosis tool. A free online screener can help you decide whether to seek assessment, but screening and diagnosis are different steps.
It can help create a clearer assessment record, but documentation needs depend on the school, employer, insurer, or support office involved. Some organisations want a diagnosis letter or a more detailed clinical report. Check the specific requirements before paying for documents.
Helpful next steps
References
- 1.DIVA Foundation, DIVA-5 Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults View source ↗
- 2.American Psychiatric Association, Updates to DSM-5-TR Criteria and Text View source ↗
- 3.CADDRA, Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines overview View source ↗
- 4.CAMH, Adult ADHD View source ↗
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional about your individual situation. If you are in crisis or thinking about self-harm, call or text 9-8-8, Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline, at any time.
Finding Focus uses AI tools to help research and draft some articles. Every article is edited and fact-checked by the Finding Focus team before publication. See our editorial and medical review policy.
