Develop Players transforms gaming into a tool for the screening and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Using video games and machine learning to transform the screening and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. This is the vision of Develop Players, an innovative startup founded in 2021 as a spin-off of the University of Bologna, conceived by Professor Mariagrazia Benassi and an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, computer scientists and game designers. Its mission is clear: to make the clinical and educational journey more engaging, empathetic and less demanding for children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders – such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and other special educational needs – by enhancing their potential and boosting their motivation. This objective takes shape through the development of scientifically validated video games, enriched by artificial intelligence that allows learning pathways to be personalised according to the cognitive profile of each "gamer".
The strength of Develop Players lies precisely in the integration of scientific rigour, technology and gamification. Therapeutic pathways are designed as engaging play experiences, capable of making activities that are often perceived as burdensome feel fun and stimulating. Numerous studies confirm, in fact, that play can increase the effectiveness of therapy, reducing the perceived effort during a study or cognitive enhancement session and making the process both more effective and more enjoyable.
The platform also offers a high degree of personalisation. Through real-time analysis of users' responses and behaviours, artificial intelligence is able to detect cognitive styles and specific needs. In this way, the gaming pathways automatically and dynamically adapt to each individual, providing immediate and targeted feedback, tailored exercises and a more effective and motivating educational experience.
Currently, Develop Players has developed two main types of digital games: one dedicated to early screening and the other focused on cognitive enhancement. Sam and Proffilo are the video games dedicated to screening. Sam is designed for children aged eight to eleven, while Proffilo is aimed at young people aged twelve to eighteen. In around twenty minutes, these tools assess cross-cutting cognitive functions such as attention, memory, logical reasoning, problem-solving and visuospatial ability.
While not diagnostic tools in the strict sense, they allow warning signs to be identified, giving both teachers and professionals – such as psychologists and speech therapists – and parents an initial indication of any difficulties, as well as practical and personalised guidance on how best to support children and adolescents. When parents use the game directly, without school involvement, they also have the option of booking an online consultation with a specialist to discuss the results. This service is already included in the cost and is essential for understanding the screening outcomes together, gaining clarity and receiving concrete guidance on the next steps.
Eye-Riders, on the other hand, is the dynamic serious game designed to improve attention and concentration. It targets those who experience learning difficulties and need to strengthen their focus and concentration. The game offers short sessions to be completed independently. Through gamified pathways, it stimulates the maintenance of concentration, enhances cognitive performance and helps develop greater awareness of one's own abilities. An important aspect is that its engaging design makes it suitable for adolescents too – an age group often overlooked by digital educational tools.
In recent years, diagnoses of specific learning disorders (SpLDs) and ADHD have increased. This does not mean the disorders are more widespread: it simply means that what was previously ignored or underestimated is finally being recognised. Awareness is growing, early screening services are becoming more widespread, prevention is being promoted and intervention is becoming more timely.
It is in this context that Develop Players operates, having already engaged more than five thousand students and over one thousand teachers, contributing to a 5 per cent increase in recognised cases compared to the national average and to improved performance in 73 per cent of students with SpLDs who have used it.
But the impact does not stop at schools. More than one hundred families have participated in the training courses promoted by the startup. Alongside the use of video games, Develop Players promotes training pathways for teachers and parents, offering practical and up-to-date tools for recognising and managing neurodevelopmental disorders. A systemic approach that also has a profound impact on the regeneration of the educational network, making the school environment more inclusive.
Develop Players is a startup with a social vocation, and impact is an integral part of its operating model. This is not just about "innovation" or "technology", but about creating real value for people and the education system, making advanced clinical tools accessible to those who need them most. The problem is well known: according to Miur data, almost 6 per cent of Italian students have an SpLD, yet in many regions the percentage of actual diagnoses is far lower. A missed diagnosis deprives children and young people of the opportunity to learn in the way best suited to them, with all the consequences that entails in terms of exclusion, loss of motivation and academic failure. Intervening early, strengthening cognitive skills and unlocking individual potential is today a genuine social challenge. This is why tools like those developed by Develop Players are so important: they help reduce the burden on the healthcare system, support families and schools with accessible and innovative tools, and build a culture of learning that is more attentive to difference.
Looking to the future, Develop Players aims to expand its impact further. Among the next objectives is the creation of a network of affiliated centres across the country, where families can complete the diagnostic pathway in person. In parallel, the startup is working to integrate its tools into corporate welfare programmes, thereby offering employee-parents screening and cognitive enhancement services: a step forward that strengthens the link between education, inclusion and family wellbeing, bringing care and attention to neurodiversity into the spaces of adult and professional life as well. The ultimate goal is clear: to break down educational barriers, democratise access to assessment tools, recognise the unique value of every individual and provide effective resources to those working towards a fairer and more inclusive school system.
