Our impact

Driving outcomes, changing lives

At Understood.org, we’re creating something extraordinary. We’re building an active, inclusive, and growing community dedicated to helping individuals with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences thrive. We aim for all of them to discover their strengths, overcome challenges, and understand that there’s an important place in the world for them and their unique talents.

Guiding our work is a framework that focuses on three Pillars for Change.

Build confidence

More than 10 million people in the U.S. come to Understood.org each year to access our expert-vetted resources and to build confidence in themselves and others.

One of the most impactful solutions we launched in the last year was Wunder, the first community app for parents of kids with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. A safe space where parents can connect, ask questions, and get expert support — all for free. Another is Take N.O.T.E., a simple step-by-step tool that helps families and teachers identify ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences in children, and guides them on next steps. Since its launch, Take N.O.T.E. has reached 24 million parents, 3.2 million educators, and 278,000 pediatricians, nurses, and other health care professionals in the U.S.

The more engaged people are with resources like Wunder and Take N.O.T.E., the more assured they feel. For example, 41% of parents who accessed Understood.org five or more times in the last six months reported feeling confident after engaging with us, versus 22% of parents who engaged one-to-two times in the last six months.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE

Wunder

Our free community app enables parents and caregivers to share information and access resources and tips in an inclusive environment, while getting immediate support from a team of leading experts.

4.7/5.0

App store rating

400+

Conversations sparked each month

5,000+

Members in 25 different community groups

“We had to pivot from an IEP to a 504 for our son. It was nerve-wracking. We needed trusted information on the fly, so I went straight to Wunder. Having that information at our fingertips helps us to stay calm through the process. Our son is taking honors science now that he has a 504.”

— Diana S., mother of a 13-year old with dyslexia and dysgraphia

A Quick Look at Wunder

Watch 1:03

Reduce stigma

People today know more about ADHD and dyslexia than previous generations. Despite this, stigma persists, perpetuating stereotypes that often keep individuals with learning and thinking differences from seeking the help and understanding they need to thrive.

Understood.org empowers people to speak up and take action by providing resources, tools, and supportive community spaces that can help them overcome barriers to change.

For example, our Be the Reason campaign was created to raise awareness of learning and thinking differences among parents who are skeptical or unaware that these differences exist. The campaign, which reached 24 million parents, encourages them to connect with their kids around the stigmas and biases they may be facing, and be the reason their child thrives.

We also expanded our Understood Podcast Network with programming that includes In It, ADHD Aha!, and The Opportunity Gap, to bring real talk and new perspectives to the everyday challenges and triumphs of people who learn and think differently. These and other Understood.org programs are enabling people impacted by learning and thinking differences to share their lived experiences with a wider audience, advocate for their rights, and act as a catalyst for change.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE

Be the Reason campaign

Created to help shift perceptions around learning and thinking differences, and turn skepticism into support.

24M

Parents reached

100K

Nearly 100K minds changed

99.4%

confidence level that the shift in mindset was attributable to the campaign video

“The truth is, I’m not behind. Nor am I moving at a slower pace than ‘normal.’ How I get to my goals — and the pace I get there — should only matter to me. It shouldn’t be open to the opinions of others. I’m moving at a pace that I know is best for me. And that pace will make me successful, even with my ADHD.”

— Maya Flores

Be the Reason campaign video

Watch 1:43

Drive advocacy

As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped our lives and communities, it also unveiled systemic inequalities in education, health care, and the workplace. We have to bridge these gaps to build a more inclusive and equitable society. At Understood.org, we’re channeling this focus into new resources to drive real, substantive change.

As our proprietary studies, meta-analysis reviews, and in-depth interviews yield insights into what people with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and thinking differences need to thrive, we’re turning them into new personalized tools and resources. We’re also leveraging social media channels to create supportive environments where people can share experiences, build community, and advocate for themselves and others. And we’re creating an ecosystem for employers, educators, health care providers, and others who support people who learn and think differently. Most recently, we created a resource with conversation starters for teachers and pediatricians to use when talking with families about learning and thinking differences and how to advocate for their child.

A journey of discovery

Understood.org provides a growing hub of resources, tools, and tips that supports visitors in their understanding of learning and thinking differences and in moving forward toward their goals with greater confidence. An example of this journey via podcasts is shown below.

Step 1Unaware

600,000+

Podcast downloads to date by people who are looking to understand why they’re struggling

Step 2Searching

160,000+

Unique listens to date by people who are looking to learn more

Step 3Engaged

25,000+

Followers of our podcasts who are acting on what they’ve learned

Step 4Advocating

Empowering a growing community of listeners to speak out

“My name is Erin and I recently stumbled upon your podcast. I am obsessed, I love listening to everyone’s stories and I have several ‘aha’ moments during each episode.”

— Erin, a podcast listener who went from searching for information about ADHD to becoming a guest on the Understood.org podcast ADHD Aha!

The resources Understood.org provides are making a measurable difference. Our recent Thriving Survey found that increased engagement with Understood.org leads to significant improvements in thriving.

In fact, children whose parents engaged more frequently with us (5+ times in the last six months) thrive at a higher rate. Children whose parents engaged with us longer (3+ years) and those whose parents used more of our resources (3+ Understood.org resources) also thrive at a higher rate.

“Before I was a dyslexic design thinker, before I was a creative director, before I even knew I was dyslexic, I was just a kid trying to figure out how my mind worked. Working together with Understood, I’m exploring my relationship with dyslexia and seeing how each step along the way led me to where I am today.”

— Gil Gershoni

Next Up

Supporters + board members

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With your support, we can help the millions of people who learn and think differently overcome challenges and thrive.

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