Deaf and Hard of Hearing Evaluations
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Evaluations
Evaluation in Your Language, Without Compromise
Neuropsychological evaluation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals requires careful attention to language, communication, culture, and developmental history. Cognitive testing is not separate from the way a person communicates. If an evaluation does not account for a person’s primary language, educational experiences, or access to communication throughout development, the results may not accurately represent their true abilities.
For many Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, factors such as language exposure, schooling experiences, communication access, and opportunities for learning have an important impact on how test results are understood. A neuropsychological evaluation must consider these influences rather than interpreting scores without context. This is especially important when evaluations involve questions about learning, attention, memory, developmental differences, or daily functioning.
At Coherence, Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP conducts neuropsychological evaluations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals directly in American Sign Language when appropriate. This allows the evaluation process to occur in the individual’s primary language and avoids relying on interpretation as a substitute for direct clinical communication.
Evaluations are adapted with consideration for linguistic and cultural factors while maintaining appropriate neuropsychological standards. Jennifer considers each person’s communication history, educational background, developmental experiences, and everyday functioning when interpreting results and developing recommendations.
For individuals and families seeking answers, the goal is an evaluation that reflects the person as accurately as possible. A thoughtful assessment should help clarify strengths, challenges, and support needs while recognizing the full context of the individual’s life experiences.
How we work
Language plays an essential role in how people learn, communicate, solve problems, and demonstrate what they know. Neuropsychological testing often relies on communication, whether a person is explaining their thinking, learning new information, recalling details, or responding to questions. Because of this, the language used during an evaluation can significantly influence how a person’s abilities are understood.
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, an evaluation that does not fully consider language access, communication style, and educational history may not provide an accurate picture of cognitive strengths and challenges. Test performance can be affected when tasks are presented in a way that does not align with the person’s primary language or typical methods of communication. Behavioral observations can also be difficult to interpret when the evaluation setting does not reflect how the individual naturally interacts and expresses themselves.
At Coherence, Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP conducts evaluations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals with careful attention to each person’s linguistic background and communication needs. When appropriate, assessment is conducted directly in the client’s primary language, allowing the evaluation process to better reflect the individual’s abilities rather than the limitations of a communication barrier.
Testing materials, interpretation, and recommendations are considered within the context of the person’s developmental history, educational experiences, and access to language throughout life. This approach helps ensure that findings represent a meaningful understanding of how the individual thinks, learns, communicates, and functions in everyday settings.
The purpose of the evaluation is not simply to produce scores. It is to provide a clearer picture of the person’s strengths, areas of difficulty, and the supports that may help them succeed.
Our Process
Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP's Background in D/HH Evaluation
Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP has spent much of her career focused on improving neuropsychological evaluation and support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Her work has included directing the DREAM Clinic for D/HH Evaluations, developing training initiatives to prepare future professionals to work with this population, and contributing to research on topics including autism identification in children with hearing differences, intellectual assessment, and the impact of hearing status on neuropsychological evaluation.
Throughout her career, Dr. Reesman has worked to advance understanding of how language, communication access, education, and developmental experiences influence the way cognitive abilities are assessed. She has contributed to professional discussions through research, presentations, and service on APA task forces focused on assessment and intervention for individuals with disabilities.
This background informs her approach at Coherence: evaluations should reflect the individual being assessed, not simply the testing process itself. Understanding a person’s full developmental and communication history is essential to providing meaningful conclusions and recommendations.
who we work with
Who Benefits from ASL-Accessible Evaluation at Coherence
- Deaf children and adolescents whose primary language is ASL
- Hard of Hearing individuals for whom a solely spoken English evaluation would produce less valid results
- Adults seeking neuropsychological evaluation in their primary language
- Families of D/HH children facing educational, developmental, or clinical questions
- Audiologists, educators of the deaf, and medical providers seeking a culturally competent referral
Helpful Resources for D/HH Families
- Hands and Voices (handsandvoices.org): Family-centered support for D/HH children
- National Association of the Deaf (nad.org): Advocacy, rights, and educational resources
- Gallaudet University (gallaudet.edu): Research, training, and community resources
coherence and D/HH Evaluation
Frequently Asked Questions About D/HH Evaluation at Coherence
Are ASL evaluations available for both children and adults?
Yes. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP provides neuropsychological evaluation in American Sign Language for both pediatric and adult clients across the full range of clinical referral questions.
How are accommodations determined for Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients?
Accommodations are determined based on the individual client’s primary language and communication mode, clinical judgment, and best practices for accurate and fair assessment of D/HH populations. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP’s extensive background in this area ensures that accommodation decisions are grounded in real expertise.
How are feedback sessions handled for D/HH clients?
Feedback sessions for D/HH clients are conducted using the client’s preferred communication mode, including directly in ASL when that is the client’s primary language. The goal is for every client to leave the feedback session with a clear, accessible understanding of what the evaluation found and what it recommends.