Beat by Beat: Designing a Rhythm Game for Screening Dyslexia

Dyslexia, a language-based disorder, affects children’s reading, writing, and spelling abilities despite adequate classroom instruction. Early screening is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of delayed detection. Dyslexia also impairs precise timing tasks, including rhythm skills essential for reading. This study explores the potential of serious games incorporating rhythms to screen for dyslexia, leveraging the natural synchronization of rhythm skills observed in body movements. Existing rhythm games fail to accurately address dyslexia-related difficulties, lacking relevant performance data and user-centred design. Our research aims to design a 2D sidescrolling platformer game, integrating established rhythmic activities to identify children at risk for dyslexia and engage them in gameplay. A multidisciplinary team collaborates on this initiative, including neuropsychologists, music therapists, and game designers. Using the Design Thinking Methodology, we focus on identifying effective music compositions, game mechanics, dynamics, and visual elements that enhance the gaming experience for children with dyslexia and support early dyslexia screening.