Read Buddy for Neurodivergent wins Rep. Suzan K. DelBene’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Washington’s First District

When asked what inspired the creation of Read Buddy for Neurodivergent, the students said, “The inspiration to create Read Buddy emerged from our work as the founders of Neurodiversity Empowerment, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students with special needs. Through our online tutoring and school special education programs, we’ve worked closely with neurodivergent students, parents, volunteers, and educators. Over time, we witnessed firsthand the challenges that neurodivergent students, particularly those with Dyslexia and ADHD, face when navigating complex text. Often, these students feel frustrated and disengaged due to the overwhelming nature of the material, despite their intelligence and creativity.

As we collaborated with my team and community partners to provide tutoring services, it became clear that while these efforts were impactful, many neurodivergent students required more specialized tools that could support them beyond one-on-one tutoring sessions. Feedback from students and parents revealed the need for a solution that could help with independent reading, offering real-time support and making dense text more accessible.

One of the most inspiring moments in my journey came while tutoring a young student who struggled deeply with reading comprehension. This student, bright and creative, had difficulty understanding complex text and often felt overwhelmed by long paragraphs and unfamiliar vocabulary. Despite his best efforts, he would quickly lose focus, unable to make sense of what he was reading. However, during one session, I noticed something different: when I showed him a diagram alongside the text, his entire demeanor changed. His face lit up with understanding, and suddenly, he could connect the words to the images, making the material more accessible to him.

This student’s preference for visual aids over traditional text sparked an important realization: for many neurodivergent students, the challenge lies not in their ability to learn but in how the information is presented. We began to understand how visual aids and simplified language could make learning more engaging and less overwhelming for them.

Read Buddy was born from this collaborative effort. It’s more than just a tool—it’s designed to empower neurodivergent students, providing them with the confidence to tackle complex texts independently. By using technology to simplify language and offer visual support, Read Buddy represents the power of innovation and collaboration in creating a more inclusive and equitable educational experience for all learners.”