Whether you need to screen, diagnose, or track individuals on the autism spectrum, the PDD Behavior Inventory™ (PDDBI™) family of products has what you need. The original PDDBI was developed to assess both problem behaviors as well as appropriate social, language, and learning/memory skills. The two newest supplements to the product line expand its use, making it even easier to diagnose, track, and assess autism spectrum disorder.

Now available! The PDDBI Professional Manual Supplement: Autism Spectrum Decision Tree (ASD-DT)

The ASD-DT is designed to enhance the diagnostic power of the PDDBI. Once a parent or teacher has completed the Extended Form, the ASD-DT allows you to use those scores to complete the branches of a decision tree that ultimately results in a diagnostic category. An algorithm is used to transform PDDBI scores into subgroups of ASD (Atypical ASD, Minimally Verbal ASD, or Verbal ASD) as well as non-ASD subgroups. Intervention suggestions and further recommendations are provided for all subgroups. The ASD-DT is designed to be used with individuals ages 1:6 to 12:5 years.

Now available! The PDDBI Professional Manual Supplement: Adolescent Normative Data

This new supplement extends the age range of the PDDBI normative data to age 18:5 years. Ideal for use when monitoring progress over time, this extension to the normative data can be used with both parent and teacher ratings on the PDDBI. The standardization sample includes individuals from a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds and geographic regions. The adolescent normative data are appropriate for use when either the standard or extended items are administered.

Whether you are a PDDBI user who wants to expand its use in your practice or are new the PDDBI family of products, visit www.parinc.com today to order the materials you need!

 

The latest test from popular author Cecil R. Reynolds, PhD, the new Reynolds Interference Task (RIT) is a test of complex processing speed that assesses general neuropsychological integrity.  It is suitable for measuring the effects of traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and brain tumors. It is also useful as a measure of attention and complex processing speed deficits and as a rapid means of measuring recovery from concussion.

Measurement of speeded processing is popular in psychological testing, and most measures are exceedingly simple. Measuring how quickly one can perform simple tasks that, given unlimited time, almost everyone would complete perfectly is a reflection of speeded processing. The RIT adds a layer of cognitive processing difficulty—inhibition and attention-shifting—to simple tasks, which slows performance and requires extra mental effort, making the tasks more complex and thus more indicative of cognitive flexibility and selective attention.

The RIT features two timed Stroop-style subtests, Object Interference and Color Interference, which combine to provide a Total Score. This provides greater coverage, enhanced consistency, and more reliability than similar measures featuring a single subtest. It was designed to provide continuity of measurement across a wide age range, so it is appropriate for individuals ages 6 to 94 years. The subtests require minimal motor demand and can be administered in just 90 seconds.

Like intelligence and memory assessments, mental speeded processing (or decision speed) can be a crucial contributor to the diagnostic process for a variety of disorders, particularly those associated with compromised neuropsychological integrity.

Conormed with the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (RIAS-2), the RIT includes a large standardization sample (N = 1,824) representative of the 2012 U.S. Census and includes reliable change and discrepancy scores. It’s the best of all possible psychometric worlds.

For more information, visit www.parinc.com or call 1.800.331.8378.

Nearly 39 years ago, R. Bob Smith, III, PhD, and his wife Cathy began publishing two psychological instruments out of their home. Bob was a practicing psychologist and saw a need in the market for scoring keys and supplemental profile forms for the MMPI, assessments he was using in his own practice. Today, the table where Bob started PAR sits in the break room of PAR’s distribution center.

“I never envisioned that PAR would become the company it is today,” said Cathy.

Over the next nearly four decades, PAR has grown to be a leading publisher of psychological assessment materials. As of Friday, March 31, Bob will begin the next step of his career with PAR when he assumes a new position as Executive Chairman and Founder. In this new position, he will be involved in broad strategic leadership, governance, and consultation to the company.

Cathy will transition from Vice President of Community Relations to Vice President of Community Relations Emeritus. She will continue to consult on the philanthropic and community activities that are pivotal to the core values of the company.

Kristin Greco, MBA, Bob and Cathy’s oldest daughter, will be stepping into the role of CEO, and continuing the Smith family vision for PAR. Kristin has spent the last 6 years working at PAR, learning the core values, culture, and commitment to excellence you have come to expect from PAR. This is an exciting time of transition for the whole PAR family.

“I grew up with them packing all of the orders in our carport, surrounded by boxes,” said Kristin. “I grew up seeing PAR grow. It’s a blessing to be able to work with your family; it’s an honor to continue the tradition developed by your parents.”

Bob and Cathy have devoted the last 39 years to building an extraordinary company that publishes quality assessment products, provides exceptional Customer Service, and treats employees like family. We look forward to the next chapter in the PAR story.

 

This article refers to products that are no longer available or supported.

March is brain injury awareness month. Concussions are sometimes described as a mild brain injury because they are not usually life-threatening, but the effects of concussions can be incredibly serious. PAR offers two apps that can be used by individuals who are concerned with treating and diagnosing concussions.

The Concussion Recognition & Response™ (CRR) app helps coaches and parents recognize whether an individual is exhibiting and/or reporting the signs of a concussion. In fewer than 5 minutes, a parent or coach can complete a checklist of signs and symptoms to help determine whether to seek medical attention. The app allows users to record pertinent information regarding the child with a suspected concussion, allowing them to easily share that information with health-care providers. Post-injury, it guides parents through follow-up treatment.

The Concussion Assessment & Response™: Sport Version (CARE) app is a tool for athletic trainers, team physicians, and other qualified health care professionals to assess the likelihood of a concussion and respond quickly and appropriately.

The CRR app is available free of charge. The CARE app costs just $4.99. Both apps are available for download through the Apple® App Store^SM and Google Play for use on your iPhone®, iPad®, iPod® Touch,  Android™ device, or tablet!

 

PAR is currently collecting normative, reliability, and validity data for a number of new products in development. Data collectors are responsible for obtaining test subjects based on the specific project needs as outlined by the Data Collection Coordinator and are compensated on a "per case" basis that varies with each project. Typically, we offer examiners/data collectors an option for either cash payments or credit toward PAR products. We also have provisions for compensating examinees. PAR pays for all shipping and handling fees arising from data collection. If you are interested in collaborating with PAR as a data collector, complete the Examiner Information Form.

For more information on the data collection process, visit this page.

 

The MEMRY is the first nationally standardized rating scale specifically designed to measure memory in children, adolescents, and young adults. It measures everyday memory, learning, and executive aspects of memory, including working memory.

It provides rapid screening for memory problems in youth, an ecologically relevant assessment of memory in everyday life, and multiple perspectives about memory capacity from different raters. The MEMRY can be used to determine whether a more comprehensive evaluation is required or as a core component of a comprehensive assessment for youth suspected of memory problems.

The MEMRY:

• Features both informant (ages 5-19 years) and self-report (ages 9-21 years) forms.


• Includes an overall score, the Everyday Memory Index (EMI), as well as scales that tap learning, daily memory, and executive/working memory and three validity scales.


• Allows clinicians to differentiate between problems caused by memory failures versus failures due to problems with working memory and attention, a common referral question.


• Appropriate for use with typically developing youth, as well as individuals with suspected memory or learning problems.


• Provides intervention recommendations based on MEMRY scores.

The MEMRY was conormed with the Child and Adolescent Memory Profile™ (ChAMP™) and the Memory Validity Profile™ (MVP), providing a full suite of memory products!

Learn more about the MEMRY today!

Since 2000, school psychologists have turned to the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) to examine executive function in the everyday, real-world environments of children ages 5 to 18 years. A revision to that groundbreaking test, the BRIEF2, was published in 2015. Featuring more concise scales, increased sensitivity to executive function problems in key clinical groups like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and new screening forms for parents, teachers, and students, the BRIEF2 is the gold-standard for executive function testing.

A new companion piece, developed and written by the BRIEF2 authors, is now available.

The BRIEF2 Interpretive Guide helps school psychologists and educators gain a deeper understanding of BRIEF2 scores, write reports, plan intervention strategies, and monitor progress of students with executive function concerns.

Using case examples of students with ASD and ADHD and written in a straightforward, reader-friendly style, the authors weave a narrative that will be familiar to most education professionals. This helpful guide offers optional interpretive steps and demonstrates uses for screening, basic, and advanced interpretation.

Included are step-by-step guides to interpreting BRIEF2 scores and parallel sentence-by-sentence guides to help professionals write findings in reports using language that is concise, accurate, and clear to parents and teachers.

“It is so enjoyable to witness how outstanding clinicians learn what they know, teach what they know, and practice what they know,” writes Elaine Fletcher-Janzen, EdD, ABPdN, professor of school psychology, in the book’s foreword. “This book is a glimpse into how clinical practice and the assessment and treatment of EF should be done, or how the experts do it. The reader is left with a comforting thought that if the practices and recommendations in the book are followed, then the best has been done for the child and the family. I feel very comfortable handing this book over to my students and saying, Do what they do!”

The BRIEF2 Interpretive Guide is available in both hardcover and electronic formats. Order or learn more.

Are you attending the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Annual Convention? Make sure to stop by the PAR booth while you are in San Antonio! You can use your conference discount to order your favorite assessment products or learn about our newest releases while visiting with PAR staff and authors.

Stop by the PAR booth to meet the following authors and experts:

Cecil Reynolds, PhD, Wednesday, February 22, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Scott Poland, DEd, Wednesday, February 22, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Steven Feifer, DEd, Thursday, February 23, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Peter Isquith, PhD, Thursday, February 23, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

 

And don’t miss these presentations:

Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (RIAS-2): Development, Psychometrics, Applications, and Interpretation

Cecil Reynolds, PhD

Wednesday, February 22, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

 

Increasing the School Psychologist’s Role and Improving Defensible Threat Assessment

Scott Poland, DEd, and Julie Alexander Gettman, PhD

Wednesday, February 22, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

 

The Neuropsychology of Mathematics: Diagnosis and Intervention

Steven Feifer, DEd

Thursday, February 23, 8:00 to 9:50 a.m.

 

A Neuropsychological Approach for Identifying and Remediating Specific Reading Disorders

Steven Feifer, DEd

Friday, February 24, 8:00 to 9:20 a.m.

 

A Neuropsychological Approach for Identifying and Remediating Specific Math Disorders

Steven Feifer, DEd

Friday, February 24, 10:00 to 11:20 a.m.

 

Memory Assessment Matters: Recent Developments in Memory Science, Assessment, and Intervention

Julie Alexander Gettman, PhD, and Kathleen Woodward, EdS

Friday, February 24, 12:00 to 1:50 p.m.

 

Looking forward to seeing you in Texas!

The PAR Training Portal is designed with your valuable time in mind, giving you a quick way to become acquainted with select PAR assessments. Whether you become more knowledgeable about a test you know and use or you preview an instrument you are considering purchasing, the PAR Training Portal is a free, on-demand resource available 24/7.

Here are five things you should know about the PAR Training Portal:

1. You can watch the whole course or skip to the parts you are most interested in! Each interactive course offers a course topics menu on the left-hand side of the screen that allows you to navigate to any page within the course. You don't need to watch every screen and can select the parts that are most important for your needs. Arrows allow you to move to the next page or previous page in the course.


2. There are many types of offerings! In addition to interactive courses, there are also recorded Webinars, supplemental materials, author videos, and notifications of upcoming live events and sessions!


3. We are always adding new material! If you haven’t visited in a while, there is so much to see! In fact, a recorded Webinar on the PDD Behavior Inventory was just added recently! Check it out!


4. All courses are free… and you can watch them as many times as you want! Sometimes you just need a refresher on the finer points of an assessment. Stop by the portal for a quick reminder of what you need to know.


5. The PAR Training Portal is a great way to train an individual or a whole staff! Many schools have used the portal to train all the individuals in their group. It’s an efficient and cost-effective solution for training.

Visit www.parinc.com/training today for FREE training!

The week of Feb. 6-10, 2017, is National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association. This year’s theme is “School Counseling: Helping Students Realize Their Potential.” The celebration places a spotlight on how school counselors can help students achieve school success and plan for a career.

PAR is proud to salute those who are dedicated to the task of working with children in schools across the country who devote their time and energy to this vital and important endeavor.

In the spirit of celebrating, we’d like to tell you about some new assessment products that will soon be available to help you help your students.

The Multidimensional Everyday Memory Ratings for Youth (MEMRY) is the first and only nationally standardized rating scale designed to measure everyday memory, in children, adolescents, and young adults ages 5-21 years. It measures everyday memory, learning, and executive aspects of memory in youth, including working memory.

The Reynolds Interference Task (RIT) is a Stroop-style test of complex processing speed that measures neuropsychological integrity, complex processing speed deficits, and attention across a wide age range (6-94 years). It adds a layer of cognitive processing difficulty to simple tasks, making them more complex and thus more indicative of cognitive flexibility and selective attention.

The MEMRY and RIT will be released in March.

PAR would like to thank all school counselors for the crucial work you perform every single day. Your efforts are the personification of our tagline: Creating Connections. Changing Lives.