Russian Researchers Launch First App to Diagnose Childhood Language Disorders

Researchers at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Russia have created a mobile app for diagnosing phonological processing disorders in children. The tool is the first standardised method in the country for detecting issues like dyslexia and dysgraphia. It aims to support both clinical therapy and scientific research. The app was developed using global best practices and input from leading Russian neuropsychologists. It includes seven tasks of varying difficulty to test speech comprehension and production. These assess a child’s ability to distinguish sounds, retain auditory information and perform phonemic analysis.

All tasks are narrated by a professional voice actor to ensure consistency. The tool records children’s responses and automatically compares them against age-specific norms. This removes reliance on the examiner’s pronunciation and allows progress to be tracked over time.

Validation studies have confirmed the app’s reliability and effectiveness. It helps specialists diagnose impairments accurately and design personalised correction programmes for each child. The new app provides a standardised way to identify language disorders in Russian children. Its use in therapy and research could improve early detection and tailored support. The tool is now available for professionals working in these fields.