"articulearn": An Integrative, AI-Driven Speech Therapy System for Children With Speech Disorders

Abstract

"ArticuLearn", a personalized speech therapy system for children with speech sound disorders that integrates advanced machine learning techniques and interactive digital tools to provide targeted intervention across four key domains: phonological disorder detection, fluency disorder identification and intervention, therapy for childhood apraxia of speech, and personalized speech activity filtering for articulation disorders. By leveraging dedicated LSTM-based classifiers and feature extraction techniques such as Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs), this approach automatically identifies specific error types, including phoneme substitutions, omissions, and vowel mispronunciations. In addition, a hierarchical deep learning framework employing attention mechanisms and dynamic time warping is applied to quantify motor planning deficits associated with childhood apraxia of speech, while a reinforcement learning agent adapts therapy prompts based on individual performance. Data were collected from eight children per disorder category along with a normative sample of twenty typically developing children, providing a basis for personalized intervention and progress monitoring. ArticuLearn is designed to complement traditional therapy methods by offering an accessible, scalable solution that supports remote intervention and enhances clinical decision-making. Pilot evaluations suggest that the system can facilitate targeted speech exercises, improve self-monitoring, and foster adaptive learning in young users. This research underscores the potential of combining AI-driven analysis with interactive therapy to transform speech rehabilitation, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to specialized care is challenging.