Diagnostic Evaluation Services

Helping Others Help Their Students

Students who are visually impaired, deafblind, or deaf with other disabilities have unique learning needs.  Their education programs will greatly impact their future and the way they learn and grow.

To address the special needs of these students and to help them realize their greatest potential, it is essential that parents and school staff have a clear understanding of each student’s abilities and needs.  That is why Perkins offers diagnostic evaluations for students in public and private school settings.

Approximately 35 children come to Perkins every year for a diagnostic evaluation.

Diagnosing Needs, Evaluating Potential

Formally evaluating each student’s strengths and needs allows teachers and parents to develop individualized education programs that provide the best possible learning experience for the student.  Our teams of experts provide evaluations for students age three to 22 years.  Evaluations assess a broad range of skills or specific areas of educational and/or clinical needs.  The testing usually takes place over one or two days on the Perkins campus.  Either parents or school districts may pay for the evaluation. 

Perkins uses a team approach, with each staff member assessing the student in his or her area of expertise.  Comprised of the teaching and clinical professionals who work directly with the students enrolled in one of Perkins’ four on-campus programs (Early Learning Center, Lower School, Secondary, Deafblind), our evaluation teams have unparalleled knowledge of and experience with students who are blind, deafblind, and deaf with other disabilities.  When an evaluation is complete, the team gathers as a group to share information and exchange ideas, culminating in a comprehensive evaluation report with recommendations for the student’s educational program and community environment.

Perkins’ nearly two centuries of expertise can help you develop an appropriate education program for your student or child.  For additional information about Diagnostic Evaluation Services, please contact Justine C. Rines, Evaluations Coordinator, at (617) 972-7456 or Evaluations@Perkins.org.