Many parents struggle to understand their child’s behavior. Is it normal? Or is it a sign they need additional support? Leiden-based start-up GameAnalyze has developed a mobile game that gives parents insight into their child’s attention span, emotional regulation and sensory processing—all within one day. Thanks to support from the Rabo Impact Fund, the start-up can now continue to optimize and certify the app.
Many parents struggle to understand their child’s behavior. Is it normal? Or is it a sign they need additional support? Leiden-based start-up GameAnalyze has developed a mobile game that gives parents insight into their child’s attention span, emotional regulation and sensory processing—all within one day. Thanks to support from the Rabo Impact Fund, the start-up can now continue to optimize and certify the app.
“Behavior patterns absolutely weren’t our focus initially. We were more into educational software,” says Dmitry Pavlotsky, one of the co-founders of GameAnalyze alongside Eli Yanovski and Alexey Ershov. “But one day, Eli suggested we develop a solution that recognizes children’s behavioral patterns to support their wellbeing.”
Built on Personal Experience
The founders know how tough it can be when your behavior is misunderstood: It took Dmitry 35 years, Alexey 31 years and Eli 13 years to be diagnosed with ADHD. Dmitry in particular feels that receiving help at a younger age would have made things easier. “It would’ve meant my parents could access specialist support and medication and understand my behavior better. My dad, who’s getting on now, still often struggles to understand me.”
Dmitry says many parents are in the same boat. “Six out of ten children struggle to focus. But as many parents don’t realize, the children don’t get the support they need. Our mobile app helps to recognize those behavioral patterns quickly. How does a child respond in certain situations? What’s their attention span? How do they manage frustration and respond to stimuli? Giving parents insight enables them to help their child earlier.” GameAnalyze’s app is designed for children aged 5 to 12. “We hope it makes life easier for young children with learning difficulties and emotional regulation.”
Insights After Fifteen Minutes of Play
GameAnalyze’s app uses evidence-based methods. “The child plays three times a day: five minutes in the morning, five in the afternoon and five in the evening. Those fifteen minutes are enough to begin understanding behavioral patterns,” says Dmitry, who explains how the app delivers valuable information. “The more the children use the app, the more data we have at our disposal and the better we can recognize patterns. We’re now collaborating with Leiden University to improve the app.”
App Enhancements
Dmitry says the app has attracted interest from parents, schools and health care organizations. “We’re now enhancing the app and exploring ways to get it certified. It’s a long and expensive process, so we’re extremely pleased with the donation of €25,000 from the Rabo Impact Fund. Rabobank can help us in other ways, too, such as by linking us up to relevant stakeholders.” GameAnalyze hopes to reach its next milestones over the coming months. “We want our app to reach as many users as possible, so that we can make a difference in both children’s and parents’ lives.”