Founded in 2014, Understood.org focuses on raising awareness of the strengths, challenges and everyday realities of people who are neurodivergent — including those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and other language or written expression disorders. Understood, a nonprofit organization, provides free, publicly accessible tools and resources to help people thrive.
As awareness of neurodiversity grows, people are looking for reliable information and practical support. Millions of parents, educators and neurodivergent kids and adults are going online to find answers. But all too often, what they find is confusing, misleading or flat-out incorrect. Approximately 82% of online users are concerned that they’re being misled about health information online,1 and for good reason — nearly half of the ADHD videos on TikTok feature misleading claims.2
Understood.org exists to fill the demand for accurate information that people can trust. We partner with both individuals and organizations to create meaningful, lasting impact. Our expert guidance and research-backed resources can help change lives.
Everything we do is grounded in research. Our content and tools are guided by experts and built by people with lived experience. We synthesize expert insights, market research and published studies to deliver tailored resources. For example:
- Understood News launched in 2025 to help our audience make sense of headlines about education and health care that affect them.
- Through My Eyes uses simulations and documentary-style storytelling to let people step into the daily experiences of kids with ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. Its goal is to increase understanding, empathy and advocacy.
- Take N.O.T.E., created with the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a digital tool that helps parents and caregivers better understand their child’s behavior and learning patterns. Then they can move forward with greater confidence.
- ADHD Unstuck is a self-guided activity developed in partnership with the Northwestern University Lab for Scalable Mental Health. Designed by and for women with ADHD, it builds emotional self-awareness and supports mood improvement in about 10 minutes.
- The Understood Podcast Network is a collection of over 10 ad-free shows with real talk and personal stories for and from people who learn and think differently. Our podcasts bring new voices and perspectives that you won’t hear anywhere else.
Understood’s founders, Nancy and Fred Poses, learned firsthand how difficult it is to find this kind of guidance and support. It’s hard to even know where to begin, and it can feel like nobody else understands what you’re going through. That’s why they decided to build Understood.org, a leading resource to help other families navigate their journey. Each year, more than 20 million people use Understood’s resources to build skills and confidence — and to find community.
Join us on the journey to help parents, educators and learners build a more inclusive future: understood.org/partnerwithus.
References:
1. Pew Research
2. PLOS One