Customer Success Story: How Dr. Irene Piryatinsky is Using PAR Products in her Practice to Improve Lives

How PAR’s Products Lead to Real-Life Positive Outcomes for Patients

About Dr. Irene Piryatinsky

Dr. Irene Piryatinsky, PhD, ABPP-CN, is a licensed and board-certified clinical neuropsychologist with years of clinical experience. She provides neuropsychological assessment and consultation services for a diverse range of patients at the Neuropsychological Assessment Clinic in Massachusetts. There, she offers comprehensive evaluations for ADHD, problems with executive functioning, learning differences, dementia, autism, and a variety of cognitive problems and changes. She uses several of PAR’s psychological assessment tools during these evaluations and has witnessed their benefits firsthand, sharing her experience with us to spread the word about how the right tools can truly change lives. 

The Challenge: Facing a Wide Range of Diagnostic Challenges

At her practice, Dr. Irene Piryatinsky faces a spectrum of diagnostic hurdles. Her patient population is diverse, ranging from young children to older adults, and includes individuals with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, early-onset dementia, and complex dual diagnoses. Many of her patients come from underserved communities, often with limited access to education and public insurance coverage, which adds layers of complexity to both assessment and care planning.

In this environment, accurate evaluation and diagnosis is not just a clinical goal—it’s a lifeline. Dr. Piryatinsky often sees patients who have been misdiagnosed or overlooked for years. For example, she recalls a young girl who was incorrectly classified with an intellectual disability due to language barriers. Without the right tools, such cases risk being misunderstood, leading to inappropriate interventions and missed opportunities for support.

Another challenge lies in the nuanced presentation of conditions like adult ADHD and early cognitive decline. Many adults come to her practice convinced they have ADHD, often after extensive self-research. However, Dr. Piryatinsky must carefully differentiate between ADHD and other underlying issues such as trauma, anxiety, or substance use. This requires tools that not only assess cognitive function but also provide insight into emotional and behavioral patterns.

Additionally, the need for validity indicators is paramount. Because most of her evaluations require prior authorization, Dr. Piryatinsky must rely on assessments that can withstand clinical and legal scrutiny. Whether she’s working with patients in correctional settings, conducting pre-surgical evaluations, or supporting families navigating dementia, the tools she uses must be both rigorous and adaptable. 

Empowering Precision: How PAR Tools Help Dr. Piryatinsky Deliver Targeted, Transformative Care

To meet the complex needs of her patients, Dr. Irene Piryatinsky relies on a suite of PAR assessment tools that offer both clinical depth and practical flexibility. These tools are not just diagnostic instruments—they are integral to how she builds trust, clarifies diagnoses, and tailors treatment recommendations. She uses a variety of PAR products in her practice, including:

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF2)

One of Dr. Piryatinsky’s most frequently used tools is the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF2), an assessment tool designed to evaluate impairment of executive function in children, adolescents, and adults. She considers it a favorite for its dual self- and informant-report formats and built-in validity indicators, factors that are especially critical when working with adults with suspected ADHD.

In Massachusetts, where neuropsychological testing is often required for medication approval, the BRIEF2 helps differentiate between ADHD and other conditions like trauma or anxiety. It also allows her to explore behavioral dimensions that go beyond cognition, such as emotional regulation and task monitoring.

Clinical Assessment of Attention Deficit-Adult (CAT-A)

Complementing the BRIEF2 is the CAT-A (Comprehensive Attention Test–Adult), which Dr. Piryatinsky often administers before intake interviews for patients coming to her for possible ADHD. She uses it to guide her questioning and uncover patterns in academic and social functioning that patients may not initially recognize. This pre-interview data helps her dig deeper into childhood history and current challenges, especially in cases where patients are over-reporting symptoms or lack insight into their difficulties.

Dr. Piryatinsky explains, “The reason I'm in love with the CAT-A is because of the childhood criteria. I usually start with the CAT-A—even though I don't think it's fair to call it a Screener because I think it's more comprehensive than that—so that I can gear my interview based on what the patient has endorsed. And often, particularly with patients who've read up a lot and know everything about ADHD, they're endorsing a lot of this functional impairment, academic impairment, social impairment. When I administer the CAT-A pre-interview, I can then go into it ready to ask them for more information. It allows me to dig in more, and sometimes there’s a realization from the patient about the reasons behind their struggles earlier in life.”

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)

Dr. Piryatinsky also integrates the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) into her neuropsychological battery, particularly for patients with ADHD, OCD, or anxiety. Administering it by hand allows her to observe behavioral nuances—like overthinking or perseveration—that inform her clinical impressions and therapeutic recommendations. For example, when a patient with obsessive tendencies fixates on one sorting strategy, it reveals cognitive rigidity that may not be captured through self-report alone.

Additional Assessment Tools

Other PAR assessment tools that Dr. Piryatinsky and her colleagues use regularly include the:

• Trails X – Assesses adaptive planning and executive function.
• BDAE – Assesses aphasia and related disorders in adults.
• BVMT-R – Measures visuospatial memory.
• ChAMP – Assesses visual and verbal memory.
• DRS – Measures mental status in adults with cognitive impairment.

In every case, the common thread is precision. Whether she’s evaluating a child misclassified with an intellectual disability or helping a high-functioning adult uncover hidden executive function deficits, Dr. Piryatinsky uses PAR tools to illuminate the full picture—and to help her patients take the next step forward with clarity and confidence.

Real Results: How Key Insights Help Dr. Piryatinsky’s Practice to Change Lives

The impact of PAR tools in Dr. Irene Piryatinsky’s clinic is both measurable and deeply personal. These assessments don’t just inform diagnoses—they often transform how patients understand themselves and how care teams respond.

For many of her adult ADHD patients, completing the BRIEF2 and CAT-A is a revelatory experience. “Several high-functioning women have said it was eye-opening to go through these questions and be like, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing all that,’” Dr. Piryatinsky shared. “The relief that comes from finally seeing their challenges reflected in data is powerful.”

These tools help patients connect the dots between their lived experiences and the cognitive patterns that underlie them, often for the first time. In one case, a woman who had long struggled with executive functioning was stunned by how clearly the assessments captured her difficulties. “She was someone who could do her job in her sleep, but would miss the simplest things,” Dr. Piryatinsky explained. “Seeing the data helped her realize how much she was compensating—and how much more she could achieve with the right support.”

The tools also play a critical role in redirecting misdiagnoses. Dr. Piryatinsky described a case where a child was initially labeled with an intellectual disability due to language barriers. Using nonverbal tools like the Color Trails Test, she was able to demonstrate that the child’s cognitive abilities were actually within the average range. “A year later, she no longer met criteria for an intellectual disability. That’s what accurate tools and thoughtful interpretation can do.”

Even in more complex or emotionally charged cases—such as patients seeking an ADHD diagnosis that isn’t supported by the data—PAR tools help Dr. Piryatinsky navigate those conversations with clarity and compassion. “Imagine being 100% sure you have ADHD, then reading a report that says it’s trauma or substance use. That’s a hard conversation,” she said. “But the validity indicators and behavioral data help me make that case in a way that’s grounded and respectful.”

These tools also extend their impact beyond the evaluation room. Dr. Piryatinsky encourages patients to bring their reports to therapy, where clinicians can use the data to guide treatment. “I wish more therapists used these questionnaires,” she said. “They make it easier to talk about things like task monitoring or inhibition in a concrete, actionable way.”

Why PAR?

For Dr. Irene Piryatinsky, choosing PAR was as much about finding a partner that supports every facet of her clinical mission as it was about selecting high-quality assessment tools. From day one, she’s been impressed not only by the scientific rigor of PAR’s products but also by the company’s responsiveness, innovation, and commitment to the neuropsychological community.

“You allow me to do so much,” she said. “We’re working on two research projects—Trails X and CAT-A/BRIEF2—and I’m in contact with your talented research team. It’s such a pleasure for two reasons: we get to contribute to the development of better norms, and you listen to our feedback on how a measure can be improved.”

Customer service has also stood out. Dr. Piryatinsky recalled a time when a PAR representative proactively reached out after noticing outdated protocols on her account—without any prompt from her. “That kind of initiative is rare,” she said. “It shows that you’re paying attention and that you care.” 

Looking Ahead: Advancing the Field Through Mentorship, Advocacy, and Continued Collaboration

Going forward, Dr. Irene Piryatinsky sees the potential to grow her practice and continue changing the lives of patients. One of her greatest professional goals is to mentor and train ethical, board-certified neuropsychologists who understand the depth and responsibility of their work. “I’m committed to ensuring our profession maintains and elevates its standards for education, training, and competency,” she said.

She’s also passionate about advocacy—particularly around public education and the importance of board certification. “Neuropsychology is a specialty, just like any specialty in medicine,” she explained. “We need to uphold the integrity of that distinction. It’s not about gatekeeping—it’s about safeguarding patient care and ensuring that evaluations are valid, ethical, and impactful.”

In this mission, she sees PAR as a vital ally. Whether through collaborative research, training opportunities for her students, or the continued development of culturally sensitive and accessible tools, Dr. Piryatinsky believes PAR is helping to move the field forward. “Whether in clinical work, training, or research, PAR has supported all facets of my practice,” she said. “You’re doing it.” 

From helping underserved patients receive accurate diagnoses, to mentoring the next generation of neuropsychologists, to contributing to the development of better tools, Dr. Piryatinsky sees PAR not just as a vendor, but as a collaborator in her mission to improve lives.

“I feel truly lucky,” she added. “I wake up in the morning and get to do what I love. And having the right tools—and the right people behind them—makes all the difference.”

For more on Dr. Irene Piryatinsky and her practice, visit the NAC clinic website: https://www.npevaluation.com/