Who We Serve: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Who We Serve: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Neuropsychological Evaluation in American Sign Language
Coherence provides neuropsychological evaluation conducted directly in American Sign Language by Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP. As an ASL-fluent, board-certified neuropsychologist, Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP has dedicated a significant portion of her clinical work to serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and the professionals and families who support them.
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, finding an evaluator who understands both neuropsychological assessment and the linguistic, cultural, and educational experiences of the Deaf community can be an important part of obtaining meaningful results. Evaluation is not only about administering tests. It requires understanding how language, communication history, educational experiences, and access to information shape the way a person demonstrates their abilities.
When an evaluation is conducted through a communication process that does not fully reflect the individual’s primary language or communication style, interpreting the results becomes more complex. Performance may be influenced by language access, familiarity with the testing format, or differences in communication rather than reflecting the person’s actual cognitive strengths and challenges.
At Coherence, Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP conducts evaluations directly in ASL without the use of an interpreter during the assessment process. Evaluations consider the individual’s linguistic background, developmental history, educational experiences, and the specific questions bringing the person or family to seek evaluation. The goal is to provide an assessment that reflects the person as accurately as possible and leads to recommendations that are relevant to their real life.
ASL
Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals of all ages deserve evaluations that reflect their actual abilities, experiences, and ways of communicating. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, questions about learning, development, attention, autism, or behavior require an evaluation process that takes language access, educational history, and communication style into account.
Adolescents and adults may seek evaluation for many of the same reasons as hearing individuals, including questions about ADHD, memory changes, traumatic brain injury, executive functioning, or other cognitive concerns. An accurate evaluation requires more than translating instructions. It requires understanding how a person’s linguistic and developmental experiences shape the way they approach learning, problem-solving, communication, and daily life.
Families of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, audiologists, educators of the deaf, cochlear implant teams, physicians, and other professionals involved in D/HH care are all important referral partners. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP works collaboratively with these teams to share findings in a way that is clinically meaningful and useful for the individual’s broader support system.
The goal of evaluation at Coherence is to provide a clear understanding of the person’s cognitive profile and practical recommendations that reflect who they are, how they communicate, and what supports will help them succeed.
Resources
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 and educational resources
- Gallaudet University (gallaudet.edu): Research and community resources
Please note that contacting this practice does not establish a patient provider relationship.
What the Evaluation Process Looks Like for D/HH Clients
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients at Coherence, the evaluation process is designed around the same principle that guides all clinical assessment: the person being evaluated should be able to demonstrate their abilities in a way that is accurate, accessible, and reflective of who they are.
This means evaluation is conducted in the client’s primary language, with consideration given to their communication style, developmental history, educational experiences, and cultural background. From the initial intake through feedback and recommendations, the process is structured to support clear communication and meaningful understanding.
Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP has built a significant part of her clinical work around serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Her experience with this population informs how evaluations are planned, conducted, interpreted, and communicated.
For many Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and families, finding an evaluator who understands both neuropsychological assessment and the broader context of Deaf experiences is an important part of the evaluation process. At Coherence, the goal is to provide assessment that reflects the individual’s true strengths, challenges, and needs while creating recommendations that are useful in everyday life.
Schedule a D/HH Evaluation
To inquire about neuropsychological evaluation in American Sign Language, reach out to Coherence.