Eliza Willard Assessment Center

Where to get your questions answered

In 1996, the Eliza Willard Assessment Center was opened on the campus of the Indiana School for the Deaf. The Center's mission is to identify needs and find resources to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families throughout the state of Indiana. Services are free and available year around to deaf and hard of hearing children who are residents of Indiana.

Services Available to Families and Schools

  • Comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation including audiological evaluation, spoken and signed language and communication evaluation, social/developmental history and adaptive behavior rating, psychological assessment such as IQ, personality, and academic achievement.

  • Consultation and collaboration with families, service providers, and educational programs serving deaf and hard of hearing children.

  • Case Conferences and Individualized Family Service Plans

  • In-service training

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

To be eligible for an evaluation do students need to be enrolled at the Indiana School for the Deaf?

No. Any deaf or hard of hearing child in the State of Indiana from birth to age 22 can utilize the services available at the Eliza Willard Assessment Center.

Do all students who are evaluated through the Eliza Willard Assessment Center enroll at the Indiana School for the Deaf?

No. The purpose of an evaluation is to identify a child's educational and communication needs and to provide recommendations to the family and professionals regardless of where the child attends school. Decisions about school placement are made at the case conference meetings.

What are the costs for services?

All services are provided free of charge.

Does ISD evaluate children with cochlear implants?

Yes. We evaluate the child's functional use of assistive listening devices including cochlear implants, conventional hearing aids, and other advanced technology. Evaluations are not limited to listening. Evaluations can also include looking at a child's language, how the child communicates, as well as how the child functions psychologically and academically.

Does ISD evaluate children who do not use sign language?

Yes. We offer expert evaluation services to all deaf and hard of hearing children regardless of the child's mode of communication, including children who use spoken English, those who use a signed English system and those who use American Sign Language.

Where are the evaluations available?

Most evaluations are completed at the Elizabeth Willard Assessment Center on the Indiana School for the Deaf campus. However, some services can be provided in other locations such as the child's natural environment.

What professionals are on the evaluation team?

Educational audiologists, speech/language pathologists, language specialists, school psychologists, social workers, occupational and physical therapists are available for evaluations. All of our staff are specialized in working with and assessing deaf and hard of hearing children.

How to schedule an evaluation.

 

Contact Pam Burchett at
317-920-6275 Voice/TTY
317 920-6350 FAX

pburchett@isd.k12.in.us

video phone ip address 866.971.8310