2024 Research Speaker Series

Julie Kientz

Professor & Chair, HCDE

OCTOBER 3, 2024

Human Centered Design of AI Supports for Children with Speech, Language, and Communication Difficulties

Children with speech, language, and communication difficulties often need the support of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who are professionals who work with children and adults in prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention in school and clinical settings. My collaborators and I have been investigating the experiences and perceptions of SLPs regarding the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to support their work through a human-centered design approach as part of a larger project funded by the NSF and IES AI Institute for Exceptional Education. Through a series of three studies with SLPs, including an online survey, an Asynchronous Remote Community (ARC), and an observation of online communities, we comprehensively explored the challenges faced by SLPs and identified areas where AI-based technologies can offer support. In two other follow up studies, we explored the use of AI for supporting home practice by parents of children with speech difficulties through surveys and interviews and the opportunities and challenges of Generative AI to support SLPs in meeting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse children. Findings from our research contribute to a deeper understanding of SLPs’ professional needs and the needs of parents and children in practicing speech therapy in home settings. We also offer insights into the potential benefits and considerations of and design directions for integrating AI into Speech-Language Pathology practice.

Dr. Julie Kientz is a professor and chair in the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering, where she directs the Computing for Healthy Living and Learning Lab. Dr. Kientz’s primary research areas are in the fields of Human-Computer Interaction, Health Informatics, Ubiquitous Computing, and Interaction Design & Children. Her research focuses on understanding and reducing the user burdens of interactive technologies for health, education, and families through the design of future applications. Her primary research methods involve human-centered design, technology development, and a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. She has designed, developed, and evaluated mobile, sensor, and social applications for numerous areas in the health, education, and family domains. The populations she has designed with in her research include individuals and families managing sleep health, parents of young children monitoring developmental progress, families managing screen time and remote learning, adolescents managing stress, and inclusive education teachers and therapists working with neurodiverse children.