dfusion We innovate science-driven solutions to advance health and well-being. We are interested in a broad span of possibilities.

Science-Driven Behavioral Health Solutions

dfusion and its partners develop, test, evaluate, scale, and disseminate innovative solutions in the health and education arenas. We also offer consultation services and provide professional development opportunities to the field. We put the Diffusion of Innovation model to work in new and practical ways, building our capacity to expand implementation of both promising and proven interventions. Through our projects, dfusion examines and promotes the steps necessary to adopt healthier behaviors and identifies effective strategies to support every stage of the adoption process. We bring particular focus to health, risk and protective factors affecting youth development, economic opportunity, and technology learning and career paths.

This Thanksgiving, we're deeply grateful for the incredible organizations making our world better, one life at a time.At...
11/25/2025

This Thanksgiving, we're deeply grateful for the incredible organizations making our world better, one life at a time.

At dfusion, we believe in the power of collaboration and community. These remarkable organizations and partners share our commitment to innovation, education, and positive change. From advancing health equity to empowering youth through technology and learning to ensuring everyone has enough to eat, each organization is creating meaningful impact.
Swipe through to see just some of the amazing groups we're thankful for. đź’™
Their dedication inspires us daily to push boundaries, develop better solutions, and remember why we do this work—because everyone deserves access to knowledge, health, and opportunity.
To these folks and organizations: Thank you for your vision, your perseverance, and your heart. Together, we're building a brighter future.
What organizations or people are you grateful for this Thanksgiving? Share in the comments below. 👇

11/24/2025

The unexpected win with Fantasy Sports Math League? Classroom climate transformation. 🌟

While we designed FSML as a mathematical thinking tool, educators consistently report outcomes we didn't anticipate:
🤝 Students who never spoke are now strategy partners
đź’¬ Mathematical discourse happens organically during transitions
🎯 Improved classroom cohesion and belongingness
✨ Students advocating for peers' success—not just their own

Sometimes the most powerful learning outcomes are the ones you can't measure on a standards-based assessment.
What "soft skills" have you noticed developing through game-based learning?

You don't have to wait for your child to bring it up.As parents of autistic youth, one of the most empowering things to ...
11/19/2025

You don't have to wait for your child to bring it up.
As parents of autistic youth, one of the most empowering things to know is this: YOU can initiate conversations about relationships, bodies, and growing up.
Your child might not ask questions the way you expect—or at all. But that doesn't mean they don't need information.
Starting conversations on your terms means:
✨ You control the timing
✨ You create a safe space
✨ You model that these topics are normal to discuss
But knowing you SHOULD talk isn't the same as knowing HOW to talk.
That's where SkillFlix comes in. Short, focused videos showing you exactly how to navigate these conversations—one micro-skill at a time.
What topic feels hardest to bring up? Drop a đź’­ in the comments.
*xEducation

11/18/2025

🎮⚾ Math + Science + Baseball = Learning Magic!
STEMadium makes STEM education engaging through the game kids already love. Our research-backed app delivers verifiable improvements in math and science performance for both girls and boys.

âś… 11 math standards covered
âś… 4 science standards mastered
âś… 4 STEM motivation objectives achieved
âś… Perfect for classroom, after-school, camps & home

Watch how STEMadium transforms learning into play!

Real impact. Real families. Real results. đź’™"I have been telling a lot of my friends about [SkillFlix for Parents of Auti...
11/13/2025

Real impact. Real families. Real results. đź’™
"I have been telling a lot of my friends about [SkillFlix for Parents of Autistic Youth] and they want to know how to get to these info and videos. I have used it to help my son understand so much."

When parents find tools that truly work, they can't help but share them. SkillFlix for Parents of Autistic Youth provides bite-sized video modeling to help parents navigate communication, relationships, and everyday challenges with confidence.

✨ Brief, focused skill videos
✨ Evidence-based approach
✨ Real scenarios, real solutions
✨Always available learning

Ready to build your skills and support your autistic young adult? Learn more at http://skillfix.org

When 40 Years of Science Meets Modern InnovationWhat happens when evidence-based s*x education and EdTech innovation joi...
11/05/2025

When 40 Years of Science Meets Modern Innovation
What happens when evidence-based s*x education and EdTech innovation join forces?
Something transformative.
At EdTech Week 2025, a powerful realization: these two fields are solving the same challenge from different angles.
S*x ed brings decades of rigorous behavior change science, validated evaluation methods, and trauma-informed frameworks.
EdTech brings modern pedagogy, scalable delivery, and engagement strategies that match how students learn today.
Together? Game changing.
At dfusion, we're living this collaboration through MPC:VISTA—evolving the professional development and training for those teaching the Making Proud Choices curriculum.

The results: educators more than doubled LGBTQ+ inclusivity skills and tripled their ability to answer sensitive questions.
This is what's possible when evidence meets innovation. When proven content gets modern delivery. When we break down silos and build bridges instead.
The students who benefit most are those in under-resourced schools, LGBTQ+ youth, and students with disabilities—communities that deserve both evidence-based content and cutting-edge educational experiences.
The future of health education isn't choosing between science and innovation. It's bringing them together.
Full article in bio about why cross-sector collaboration is transforming education.
What other fields should be collaborating more? Drop your thoughts below.

*xEducation

Last week, we co-hosted an incredible Game Development Incubator focused on environmental health education! 🎮🌱In partner...
10/28/2025

Last week, we co-hosted an incredible Game Development Incubator focused on environmental health education! 🎮🌱
In partnership with Field Day Learning Games and Clyr AI, we brought together educators and experts to generate innovative concepts for a learning game about indoor air quality. The energy and creativity in the room were amazing as we explored new ways to make environmental health literacy engaging and accessible for students.

Huge thanks to everyone who participated and contributed their expertise. This is just the beginning!

10/27/2025

Meet Tamara Kuhn: The Research Scientist Who Brings Science to Life 🔬💻
"At dfusion, science doesn't just live in academia or (metaphorically) dusty journals. I love that every day I get to actively apply research and science and fuse it with technology to build products that are impacting people's health."
That's Tamara Kuhn—CEO of dfusion, research scientist, and the person who figured out how to make behavioral science actually work in the real world.
The Path
In college, Tamara took psychology and sociology classes from the same professor. Psychology got a B—didn't click. Sociology got an A—everything made sense.
In grad school at Stanford, she started doing all the tech work in her department. That's when she realized not everyone in sociology had the same tech aptitude. The bridge between sociology and technology "has served me well for decades."
The Impact

35+ federally funded research projects directed or programmed
30+ NIH studies as PI or Co-PI
Built mobile apps, online trainings, clinical databases—all translating research into real impact
Focus: underserved populations (transgender women, Black MSM, Latinas, autistic young adults)

Why It Matters
Two professors told Tamara she could go to grad school. "It never would have occurred to me."
Now she tells kids they're smart and good at science. "It makes a big difference."
The Goal
Understanding why people do what they do. Then using that understanding—backed by evidence, delivered through technology—to help them make better choices.
That's translational research. That's what happens when science doesn't stay in dusty journals.

Parenting an autistic teen? You're doing incredible work.The teen years bring unique challenges - from navigating pubert...
10/22/2025

Parenting an autistic teen? You're doing incredible work.
The teen years bring unique challenges - from navigating puberty and hygiene routines to supporting your child through relationships and important conversations about boundaries and safety.

We see you problem-solving, advocating, and showing up with patience every single day. These aren't conversations covered in typical parenting books, and you're figuring it out as you go.
You don't have to navigate this alone.

Our SkillFlix for Parents of Autistic Youth series addresses exactly these real-world challenges. Get practical strategies, conversation starters, and support for the topics that matter most during the teen years - all designed specifically for autism families.

Because your teen deserves parents who feel confident and supported. And you deserve resources that actually get it.

đź’¬ What's one area where you could use more support right now? Let us know in the comments.

10/21/2025

At EdTech Week yesterday, BA Laris had the chance to demonstrate our gamepbased learning platforms to educators who are shaping the future of STEM learning.
Moments like these remind us why we do what we do—empowering teachers with the tools they need to inspire the next generation.
Couldn't make it to EdTech Week? Let's connect! Mia and BA will be at the conference for the next two days! Send us a DM to connect!

Our STEMPlay Labs division is heading to EdTech Week NYC on October 20th to showcase how game-based learning can transfo...
10/15/2025

Our STEMPlay Labs division is heading to EdTech Week NYC on October 20th to showcase how game-based learning can transform STEM education for underserved students.
STEMPlay Labs embodies dfusion's commitment to creating research-backed educational solutions that make a real difference. Their three products—STEMadium, Fantasy Sports Math League, and S³E—don't just engage students; they deliver measurable outcomes proven through rigorous randomized controlled trials.
The mission? Making sure every student, especially those who've struggled with traditional STEM education, can see themselves as capable mathematicians and scientists.
If you're attending EdTech Week, stop by the STEMPlay Labs booth to:

Experience hands-on demos of all three games
Learn about the university research behind measurable student gains
Discuss how real-world contexts transform learning outcomes

We're proud of the impact STEMPlay Labs is making in classrooms across the country, and we can't wait to connect with educators and innovators who share our passion for evidence-based, student-centered learning.
See you in NYC! đź—˝

10/09/2025

WANT TO BE A BETTER ALLY TO AUTISTIC PEOPLE?
It starts with how we communicate.
Introducing "Meet in the Middle" - our FREE video series
Being a true ally means learning to:

Communicate more clearly and directly
Understand different communication styles
Create more inclusive conversations
Meet autistic people where they are

Why this matters for allies:

Real allyship requires action, not just good intentions
Small changes in how WE communicate make huge impacts
Inclusion is something we actively create together
Better communication = stronger, more authentic relationships

Perfect for allies who are:

Family members wanting to connect better
Educators creating inclusive classrooms
Coworkers building supportive workplaces
Friends who want to show up authentically

Ready to level up your allyship? Link in bio for FREE access!
True allies meet people where they are. Let's meet in the middle.

Address

230 Mt Hermon Road , Suite 210
Scotts Valley, CA
95066

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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