Nerd Tools
NERD Tools Foundation was established in 2018 by a group of scientists with the aim of developing and promoting Educational Neuroscience Research.
NERD seeks to develop diagnostic and intervention tools which could also act as assistive technological aids for learning.
First Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Toolkit in India
NERD Tools foundation has developed a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Toolkit for assessment of Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia. These tools are based on latest research in neuroscience. The tools assess age appropriate core abilities and skills in children and are curriculum agnostic. The tools are culturally and contextually appropriate for India and will be available in multiple India languages. Once assessed, an intervention regime can be formulated specific to a child’s type and degree of disability.
Range
Includes performance-based assessments for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia.
Languages
Available in Hindi, English for classes 6-12, normed across 800 children from government schools.
Skill based
Skill based and curriculum free and can be used across CBSE, State Board, ICSE, IGCSE and all boards.
Development of SLD Toolkit
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LAB (Language ABility): Dyslexia
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NAB (Numeracy ABility): Dyscalculia
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GAB (Graphical ABility): Dysgraphia
Oral Language
- Picture Vocabulary
- Sentence Repetition
- Listening Comprehension
Phonological Awareness
- Rhyme
- Alliteration
- Phoneme/ Syllable Replacement
Orthographic Awareness
- Symbol Configurations
- Choose the Real Word
- Word Break
Automaticity & Executive Function
- Rapid Naming
- Semantic Fluency
- Verbal Fluency
Literacy
- Word Reading
- Non-word Reading
- Dictation
- Reading Comprehension
Basic Number Skills
- Perceptual & Symbolic Magnitude Estimation
- Counting
- Die Faces Addition
Visuospatial Ability
- Join the Dots
- Mental Rotation (Twin Task)
- Paper Folding
Working Memory & Semantics
- Backward Digit Span
- Honeycomb Patterns
- Math Facts
Quantitation
- Arithmetic
- Geometry
- Data Interpretation
- Word Problems
3-minute spontaneous writing (free expression) exercise
5 Evaluation criteria:
- Motor coordination
- Word spacing
- Consistency
- Legibility
- Quality of expression
Press
Regional language dyslexia screening tool, DALI, now available as an app
A dyslexia test for non-English speakers
DALI gives new hope to dyslexic children
Talking, Reading, Listening and Singing to Understand the Human Brain
First indigenous dyslexia assessment tool launched
Changing the script: Now a tool book to help dyslexic children
Mission and Vision
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Product Development
- To develop screening and assessments to identify learning disabilities to suit linguistic and cultural diversity of India.
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Training
- Training programmes for parents, teachers and psychologists in the use of product materials.
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Remediation
- To develop evidence based remediation strategies that will address deficits in literacy acquisition.
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Digital Delivery Platform
- To develop a digital platform and a mobile application for screening.