Project to develop pre-screening tool for specific learning disabilities

Dr Pratheepan Yogarajah, a computer science lecturer at Ulster University, is leading the project aimed at early screening of specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. Initiated in 2019 in the US with English notebook scripts, the research has since expanded globally, encompassing languages such as Malay, Hindi, and Hebrew.

Dr Yogarajah told The Engineer that the approach involves scanning students’ notebooks and using lightweight deep learning models to analyse handwriting for early signs of learning disabilities.

“These models are designed to operate on standard Android smartphones, making the technology accessible and affordable, especially in low and middle-income countries where early diagnosis is often unavailable,” he said.

The primary goal of the EPSRC-funded project – named Screen4SpLDs - is to provide an early indication of potential learning disabilities. This is crucial in regions where students are frequently mislabeled as abnormal due to the lack of proper diagnostic tools and trained educators. The tool scans a notebook page, and the deep learning model classifies the writing as either normal or showing potential signs of learning disabilities.