External Research Opportunities

IDA Ontario is committed to supporting literacy through research, education and advocacy! We value empirical research, recognizing that research plays a central role in literacy for all.

This page provides information about various research opportunities that users may choose to participate in. These projects are not affiliated with IDA Ontario, and the inclusion of a project on our website does not constitute an endorsement by IDA Ontario. We do not assume responsibility for the content, methodologies, or outcomes of external research projects listed. Participants are encouraged to independently assess and evaluate a research project before deciding to participate.

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Western University: The Impacts of Specific Learning Disorder on Health Management

To participate, children must:

  • 18 – 30 years old
  • Live Ontario, Canada
  • Fluent in English
  • Able to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic
  • Diagnosed with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and/or dyscalculia (optional) 

Participation in the study involves:

  1. Complete a survey about your healthcare experiences and health literacy skills
  2. Duration 20-30 minutes

For more information, please contact: tinyurl.com/SLD-HealthImpacts | or Stephanie Brocca, MSc Student:  sbrocca@uwo.ca

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Western University: Recruiting Kids for a Study on Reading and Language

To participate, children must:

    • 3-16 years old
    • English is their first language
    • Does not speak a second language (some French in school is okay)
    • We welcome children of all abilities, including those with reading difficulties (dyslexia), language disorder (DLD), and ADHD

Parents will:

  1. Fill out a questionnaire
  2. Bring your child to the lab at
    Western

Children will:

  1. Play word games and reading tasks
  2. Listen to stories while having their brainwaves recorded using EEG

Participation involves one 2-hour session.
You and your child will be compensated for your time!

To sign up, visit: wrld.uwo.ca

Questions? Get in touch! wrld@uwo.ca  or 519-661-2111 ext. 83529

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University of Toronto: Music and Reading skills study in Children with Dyslexia

To participate, children must:

    • Dyslexic Child
    • Age 8-12 years-old
    • Use FRENCH as their primary language

Procedure:

  1. Music and Reading Program
    30 minutes, twice a week, for 5 weeks

For more information contact:

Jenny Diouf Lewis, PhD, MA, MT-BC, KCMT, NMT-F™

jenny.diouflewis@utoronto.ca

The Hospital for Sick Children: Research Coordinator Sarah McGaughey and Study Investigators Dr. Darren Kadis and Dr. Cathy Barr.

Neuroimaging-based Modeling and Neurobiology of Reading Disability in Childhood

To participate, children must:

  • struggle with reading
  • be 6-16 years old
  • have a sibling, less than three years apart in age, who is a strong reader

Participation in the study involves:

  1. one full day visit (per child) at the Hospital for Sick Children
  2. cognitive and reading tests
  3. MEG and MRI scan of the brain
  4. parent questionnaires
  5. a blood draw for participants who qualify

Families will receive a report of their child’s psycho-educational assessment results, which could be useful in educational planning. 

For more information, please contact: margaret.wilkinson@sickkids.ca  | Phone: 416 813 7654 ext. 201049

University of Toronto Researchers: PhD Student Emily Staffiere and School & Clinical Psychologist Dr. Todd Cunningham

Research Opportunity: Typing Practice for Elementary School Students

Do you have a student in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 that is wanting to learn how to type? Research opportunity available for students with and without learning challenges to learn to type. Students will participate in typing instruction via online use of the Typing Club program, for which an account/license will be provided for 3 months. An initial visit required at the University of Toronto OISE building for baseline measures, as well as a visit after the intervention is complete. To ask any further questions, or to express interest in enrolling in the study, please email  emily.staffiere@mail.utoronto.ca

University of Toronto Researchers: Paige Vaccarella, B.A. and School & Clinical Psychologist Dr. Todd Cunningham

Research Study: Grades 7 - 10 Students

We are looking for students in grades 7 to 10 with a diagnosed Learning Disability who use or have used assistive technology (e.g., iPad, tablet, computer, laptop or reading pen) to support them in the classroom to take part in this research. The purpose of this study is to better understand what factors impact adolescents with a learning disability’s use of assistive technology in the general education classroom.

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