New ADHD Detection Tool to be piloted in Leeds Schools

A brand new, interactive tool has secured funding to deliver accurate evaluation of executive functioning linked ADHD in school-age children in Yorkshire, aiming to improve the capacity to provide early intervention, tailored support to students, and more insight for individuals into what support they need.

The executive functioning detection test, developed by Peili Vision, based in the Nexus innovation hub at the University of Leeds, has received £99,000 from the Launchpad program within Innovate UK to offer free pilots of the programme in the Leeds area in partnership with local schools, GPs and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).

The gamified EFSim assessment simulates the home environment where children perform everyday common tasks, with students having to remember these and perform them correctly.  While the test is intended to primarily evaluate the executive functioning of students, it has been shown to have 88% accuracy in early detection of ADHD.

Children and young people aged between 8-20 are encouraged to use the web screening ‘game’ at school computers – similar to a dyslexia screening – with separate focused results delivered to health practitioners, parents and children, allowing for more tailored interventions from the schools, families and GPs as required.

The test can also be taken at home, with GPs able to share a link for children to take it privately, with results reviewed with the clinician at a follow-up appointment.

Currently, around 5% of children in the UK suffer from ADHD, with waiting lists for assessment lasting as long as five years in some cases. Untreated, ADHD has a significant lifetime cost and can lead to higher rates of poor mental wellbeing, unfulfilled employment potential and poorer health outcomes.   Moreover, even post diagnosis- individuals are often left feeling unsure about what that diagnosis means for them and what areas of their life they might need support with, especially in cases of comorbidity.

Founded originally in Finland in 2015 and active in the UK since 2023, Peili Vision focuses on executive function deficit detection for schools and in health care. Pilots in more than 100 schools with around 10,000 pupils have already taken place in Finland, and several pilots are due to start in London in August.

Ari Billig at Peili Vision, said: “ADHD affects so many people but is often misdiagnosed or only identified much later in life. It can have a significant impact on people’s lives and early detection can make a world of difference, so it’s important that we do more to address this.

“Existing tests for ADHD can be subjective and lengthy, and lack context, so we have been keen to fill this gap with a solution that is inclusive, engaging and provides tailored support for parents, teachers and children following a diagnosis.

“It is especially exciting to be rolling out pilots in Leeds – a city we have loved being part of, and one that is focused on growth and innovation, so we’re looking forward to working with schools in the area in the new term later this year.”

Peili Vision is one of many organisations based at Nexus that is able to turn big ideas into reality. Nexus brings together the brightest minds from business, tech and academia, with the community including bold innovators, UK-based funders, subject matter experts, and successful entrepreneurs.

For more information about Peili Vision, go to https://www.peilivision.fi and for more information about Nexus, go to https://nexusleeds.co.uk/ .