Tools4NDDs
Going digital: tools for identification and support for neurodevelopmental disorders within the transdiagnostic framework
(EU 2026-2029)
Understanding neurodevelopment beyond labels
Diagnostic labels like dyslexia, ADHD, or dyscalculia fail to capture the complex and overlapping nature of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Symptoms shift over time, and each child has a unique set of strengths and areas of struggle, making effective support difficult. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the Tools4NDDs project aims to take a transdiagnostic approach in order to capture a more authentic understanding of the dynamic nature of NDDs. By harnessing digital innovations and interdisciplinarity expertise, the consortium will establish innovative means of assessing and supporting children with regard to diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Through research, education, and knowledge transfer, Tools4NDDs seeks to advance tailor-made diagnostics and interventions for increased long-term results and life quality.
Objective
Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) show highly heterogeneous behavioural, cognitive and brain profiles with much larger overlap between, e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), than assumed by current diagnostic approaches. It remains unclear how the individual profiles of deficits and strengths result in child specific idiosyncratic development. Besides relying on discrete categories, the current diagnostic approaches assume relatively stable NDD symptoms across development while recent findings suggest more dynamic changes in the symptoms across development. The interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral Tools4NDDs consortium aims to employ recent technological advancements to better understand the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of NDDs. Our consortium utilizes the advances in transdiagnostic research, as well as the potential of digital technological solutions to improve diagnostic and intervention tools for NDDs. The general objective is to better integrate the transdiagnostic framework in translating empirical findings to available and emerging tools while taking into account children’s divergent sociodemograpic backgrounds. Knowledge transfer, training and research on this is carried out through secondments, online work groups and library as well as yearly workshops. Our transdiagnostic approach has great potential in improving both the understanding of the dynamical mechanisms underlying NDDs, and ultimately, the development of personalized diagnostic practice and intervention designs. As long-term outcomes, to promote much needed innovations towards early, personalized, and effective identification and support for children with NDDs, thereby improving their quality-of-life.
Project Partners
- University of Jyväskylä, Finnland (project lead)
- Maastricht University, The Netherlands
- Niilo Mäki Institute, Finnland
- HUN-REN Institute for Computer Science and Control, Hungary
- Aston University, United Kindom
- Game Tailors B.V., The Netherlands
- Regionaal Instituut voor Dyslexie B.V., The Netherlands
- Scicovery GmbH, Paderborn, Germany
Associated Partners
- University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Haskins Laboratories, USA
- University of Canterbury, New Zealand
- University of Zurich, Switzerland