Elizabeth Willard Assessment Center

In 1996, the Elizabeth 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 assessment including audiological assessment, language and communication assessment, social/developmental history and psychological assessments such as IQ, personality, and academic skills evaluation

• 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 assessment 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 Elizabeth Willard Assessment Center.

• Do all students who are assessed through the Elizabeth Willard Assessment Center enroll at the Indiana School for the Deaf?

  No. The purpose of an assessment 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 assess children with cochlear implants?

  Yes. We assess the child's functional use of assistive listening devices including cochlear implants, conventional hearing aids, and other advanced technology. Assessments are not limited to listening. Assessments 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 assessment 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 assessments available?

  Most assessments 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 assessment team?

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

• How to schedule an assessment?

  Contact Pam Burchett at
  317-924-8416 Voice/TTY
  800-722-6166 Voice/TTY
  317 920-6350 FAX