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Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) — Parent Report

A widely-used screening tool for emotional and behavioural strengths and difficulties in children and young people aged 4–17. Five minutes to complete.

This is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Use it to notice patterns, then talk to a clinician if anything stands out.

For each item, please mark Not True, Somewhat True, or Certainly True. Answer based on your child’s behaviour over the last six months.
1. Considerate of other people’s feelings
2. Restless, overactive, cannot stay still for long
3. Often complains of headaches, stomach-aches or sickness
4. Shares readily with other children (treats, toys, pencils etc.)
5. Often has temper tantrums or hot tempers
6. Rather solitary, tends to play alone
7. Generally obedient, usually does what adults request
8. Many worries, often seems worried
9. Helpful if someone is hurt, upset or feeling ill
10. Constantly fidgeting or squirming
11. Has at least one good friend
12. Often fights with other children or bullies them
13. Often unhappy, down-hearted or tearful
14. Generally liked by other children
15. Easily distracted, concentration wanders
16. Nervous or clingy in new situations, easily loses confidence
17. Kind to younger children
18. Often lies or cheats
19. Picked on or bullied by other children
20. Often volunteers to help others (parents, teachers, other children)
21. Thinks things out before acting
22. Steals from home, school or elsewhere
23. Gets on better with adults than with other children
24. Many fears, easily scared
25. Sees tasks through to the end, good attention span

Total Difficulties Score

0
What this means: The SDQ is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. Elevated scores point to areas that may benefit from further evaluation. A clinical psychologist can help determine whether a fuller assessment fits.
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SDQ developed by Robert Goodman. Items unmodified. Free for clinical and personal use per sdqinfo.org.