The breakthrough innovations in machine learning technology, commonly known as AI, have led to sweeping changes in the work of every industry. Though many are skeptical about the applications of the innovation, speech pathologists, behavioral therapists, and researchers from across the field of medicine are realizing the potential benefits of the technology’s use in healthcare.
A cornerstone of the applications of AI is in communicative therapy technology, with the implementation of over twenty algorithmic models to both verbal and visual communication mechanisms. The addition of AI to these technologies is greatly increasing the efficiency of user feedback, and allowing care providers to more accurately assess the needs of their patients.
Around 8 percent of children in the United States have been reported to have speech disorders between the ages of 3 and 17 years old, adding to this 4 percent of kids have a significant language disorder according to The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University.
Despite these findings, speech disorders in young children often go undetected, leading to delays in the provision of speech therapy tools to suit their needs. This is where Artificial Intelligence plays a huge role in changing the norm on how to be able to access speech therapy tools and diagnostic tools that serve as a bridge to overcome these communication barriers.
Through the adaptive machine-learning AI technology provides, augmentative alternative communication technologies are becoming suitable to users who exhibit a myriad of speech difficulties, from phonetic difficulties to speech recognition and memory issues, as well as developing alternative communication skills such as sign language and the braille reading.
It is crucial for parents, caregivers, teachers and child health care providers to know and understand the AI related resources that are available to them so they can better support and help kids into their speech and language therapy journey. The earlier someone can start receiving treatment to improve their speech skills, the better. It is critical that speech therapy technologies be widely available, and for providers to have informative conversations with parents about which options would be the most beneficial for their children. The machine learning innovations in speech therapy technology has made detecting early signs of speech-sound disorders easier and more accurate than ever.
AI diagnoses are known to be more accurate and time efficient compared to traditional methods according to Open Data Science. SpeechBuddy is committed to making these new AI-assisted tools more accessible. In addition to adopting and popularizing speech algorithms, SpeechBuddy seeks to make speech therapy adaptive, efficient and enjoyable for individual learners, parents, and speech therapy providers.
By utilizing AI technology and real-time data tracking, insights and personalized features for everyone’s unique journey. Thank you for reading, and if you found this information helpful, don’t hesitate to share and take advantage of it. If you have any questions, reach out to us, we are here to help. As we say in Speech Buddy, the key to learning is making it fun!
As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll be back with another blog post soon!
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With love, Team SpeechBuddy
Tags: integrating media, speech development, speech therapy apps, educational media, interactive learning, child speech development, SpeechBuddy, speech therapy tools
Bhardwaj, A., Sharma, M., Kumar, S., Sharma, S., & Sharma, P. C. (2024). Transforming pediatric speech and language disorder diagnosis and therapy: The evolving role of Artificial Intelligence. Health Sciences Review, 12, 100188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hsr.2024.100188
Zdravkova, K., Krasniqi, V., Dalipi, F., & Ferati, M. (2022, October 28). Cutting-edge communication and learning assistive technologies for disabled children: An artificial intelligence perspective. Frontiers in artificial intelligence. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9650429/ Applications of Image Recognition and NLP
Image recognition technologies like the GoVisual app aid inclusive education.
HearMeOut app uses gesture-based text prediction and speech recognition for better communication.
AI-enhanced writing tools like Fluent assist people who stutter by providing alternative words. Machine Learning in Eye Tracking and BCI Systems
ML in eye tracking technology contributes to smarter assistive systems.
Research advances improve EEG decoding and target identification for BCI systems.
Computer vision applications improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals. Quarrie, N. (2021, September 16). How artificial intelligence (AI) can help children with speech, hearing, and Language Disorders: 40 free resources. Columbia Engineering Boot Camps. https://bootcamp.cvn.columbia.edu/blog/free-resources-for-children-with-communication -disorders/
Quarrie, N. (2021, September 16). How artificial intelligence (AI) can help children with speech, hearing, and Language Disorders: 40 free resources. Columbia Engineering Boot Camps. https://bootcamp.cvn.columbia.edu/blog/free-resources-for-children-with-communication -disorders/
