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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Parents; Perspectives on the Social-Emotional Experiences of Children with Dyslexia

Study Overview:

    • Parents in Canada will complete a virtual semi-structured interview aimed at
      exploring their perspectives on the social-emotional experiences of their children.
    • If you express interest in this study, you will be contacted by phone to discuss the
      purpose of the study and to arrange a date and time for the interview. The interview will last approximately 45-60 minutes. Participation is voluntary and confidential.

Who can participate?

  • Parents of a child aged 8-14 with a reading disorder (specific learning disorder with impairment in reading, dyslexia)
  • Child has had their diagnosis for at least one year
  • Child does not have another diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

For more information, contact:

Shannon Dempsey, B.Sc. 

dyslexia.study@msvu.ca

Mount Saint Vincent University

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SickKids: Brain Imaging and Brain Biology of Children with Reading Disability (Dyslexia)

What is the study about:

    • This study that will use brain imaging data from same sex siblings of discordant (differing) reading ability to create a model for future studies to test treatments for dyslexia.

Who can participate?

  1. Children (ages 6 to 16) who struggle with reading AND have a sibling who’s a strong
    reader. Parent and teacher participation is required for the screening process.

What’s involved?

Eligible families come to SickKids for two days of study participation (one child per
separate day), involving the following:

-IQ and Reading assessments

-MEG and MRI brain scans

-Parent Questionnaire

-Blood sample from children and parents who qualify

For more information, contact:

Dr. Darren Kadis
Darren.Kadis@sickkids.ca | 416-813 -7654 x 308283

Margaret Wilkinson, Research Coordinator
Margaret.Wilkinson@sickkids.ca | 416-813-8207

 

Recruiting participants until June 2027

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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

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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