Our Story
Fumiko, a dyslexia neuroscientist & Roeland, a neurolinguist (then at UCSF, now at UConn) came together and conceived the idea of developing a freely accessible dyslexia screener tablet app in 2014. In 2015, they joined with Stephanie, a cognitive psychologist, & Tinsley, MIT Media Lab grad, both co-founders of Curious Learning, who were developing literacy apps for third world countries, as well as co-developing cognitive apps with John, a cognitive neuroscientist from MIT. In 2016 we completed the first version of the app for young children. Phase 1 (play testing), Phase 2 (detailed comparison with neuropsychological assessment) and Phase 3 (reliability over time) validation happened in the Bay Area public schools over 2017-2018. With Devin, an educational psychologist (UConn School of Ed), joining the team in 2018, our development continued while validation was extended to the east coast. In 2019, we began Phase 4 validation (norming and standardization) nationwide and will continue in 2020. In 2021-2022, we plan to initiate Phase 5 validation (predict outcome) before making the app available for free download. At the same time, we are developing a dashboard as well as evidence-based resources and tools with a large group of partners.
Team
Partners
Decoding Dyslexia California San Ramon Valley USD Live Oak Elementary School Pleasanton USD Vintage Hills Elementary School Donlon Elementary school Burlingame USD Washington Elementary School St. IsidoreCatholic School Brooklyn School District- Brooklyn Elementary School Union School District- Union School Franklin School District- Franklin Elementary School Funders
UCSF Digital Health & CTSI (2014-2015) PI: R. Hancock UCSF Innovation Ventures (2014-2015) PI: R. Hancock UCSF Dyslexia Center (2015-) Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation (2016-2019) University of California Office of the President (2017-2019): UCOP MRPI Award (MRP-17-454925) Anonymous Foundation (2018-2021) Others: Lori and Ray DePole, The Potter Family, ALTA, SMCOE |