MiMi: Sinhala Language Speech Assistive Learning Bot to Support Children with Stuttering

Abstract

This research paper presents “MiMi”, a Sinhala Language voice assistive gamified solution that is designed to address stuttering in children aged between three and fourteen. Speech disorders occur when the regular flow of communication is disrupted. Stuttering, Lisps, Dysarthria, and Apraxia are some variations of speech impairments. Stuttering can be caused by a variety of factors including physical weaknesses, inherited diseases, Autism, and accidents. The risk of continuing to stutter into adulthood is highest in children between the ages of three to fourteen. It is recognized that stuttering therapy activities were less effective in managing stuttering after this age. Stuttering treatments comprise speech therapy with speech-language therapists, which requires in-person sessions that can be challenging and expensive in some circumstances. A parent’s financial ability, their busy schedules, the state of the economy in the nation, and the feasibility of physically seeing therapists and enduring treatments are all factors that might encourage or demotivate participation in therapy sessions. The development in technology and technical approaches have revolutionized the medical field and several studies have been conducted regarding communication disorders in recent years. The application can be used to practice a child’s needed speech therapy virtually and can also be used to aid speech therapy sessions done by speech therapists. The main aim of the system is to provide a customized, engaging, and innovative therapeutic strategy for children to manage stuttering.