As a Speech Pathologist, there has been a lot of chatter about the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI), like ChatGPT, to disrupt the world of Speech Therapy as we know it. As companies develop software to analyze speech patterns, create remediation programs, and provide customized treatment plans, the one thing AI can not replace is the crucial role of human interaction and its impact on therapy outcomes related to both speech and language development. Rather than seeing AI as a replacement for speech therapy, today we’ll discuss how AI tools can offer innovative ways to support speech therapy. 

1 . Articulation Targets

Help clients work on articulation by providing clear, written prompts and feedback:

• Repetition Drills: Ask ChatGPT to create a word list for you with the sounds you are working on, including which position of the word they should appear. You can expand this by syllable, word, phrase, sentence and beyond. You can have the student listen to the pronunciation through ChatGPT to aid in auditory bombardment. 
• Create a Story: You can ask ChatGPT to create sound specific stories at the students reading level to practice during the session or to send home as homework. Ask ChatGPT to make it a silly one for a bit more fun.
• Create Jokes or Madlibs: Ask ChatGPT to create a joke with the student’s target sounds or create a madlibs type story with prompts to fill in the words with the sound you are working on.

2 . Expressive Language Activities

For clients working on language development, ChatGPT can provide a variety of exercises to enhance their skills:

• Vocabulary Building: Engage in word association games, where ChatGPT presents a word, and the client has to come up with related words. This helps expand their vocabulary. This can be used with antonyms, synonyms, multi-meaning words, the options are endless.
• Sentence Construction: Give the client a set of words, and have ChatGPT prompt them to create sentences. This activity encourages proper sentence structure and grammar usage.
• Answering questions: Ask Chat GPT to ask a variety of questions about your student’s preferred interests, have them answer using complete, grammatically correct sentences.

3. Receptive Language Activities

Reading out loud and understanding text are vital components of school-based speech therapy. It can assist with these areas as well:

• Reading Comprehension: Ask Chat PT to create a grade level story about the student’s preferred interests. After reading a passage, it can ask wh- or inferential questions about the content to check the client’s understanding and encourage critical thinking.
• Vocabulary Comprehension: You can have ChatGPT to create a story using age appropriate vocabulary. After reading the story, you can work on strategies such as context clues to have the student demonstrate understanding of the vocabulary item. 
• Following Directions: Play a game of Simon Says with ChatGPT giving the prompts, or ask it to provide 2-3 step directions that the student can follow along with. 

4. Pragmatic and Social Communication Skills

Developing social communication skills is essential for many clients, especially those with social communication disorders. AI can simulate social interactions and provide practice opportunities:

• Conversational Turn-Taking: Practice conversational turn-taking by having ChatGPT and the client alternate speaking. This helps clients learn the flow of natural conversation.
• Understanding Social Cues: Ask it to create scenarios that demonstrate different social cues, such as greetings, farewells, or polite requests. Discuss these cues with the client to enhance their understanding.
• Role-Playing Scenarios: Set up role-playing exercises where ChatGPT takes on different characters. For example, simulate a visit to a grocery store, a doctor’s appointment, or a casual chat with a friend. This helps clients practice everyday conversations.
• Question and Answer Sessions: Use ChatGPT to ask clients questions, encouraging them to respond and engage in dialogue. This can help improve their ability to form coherent sentences and answer questions appropriately.

5. Consistency and Reinforcement

Regular practice is key to success in speech therapy. ChatGPT can help ensure consistent practice outside of traditional therapy sessions:

• Daily Practice Sessions: Encourage clients to spend a few minutes each day interacting with ChatGPT. Consistent practice reinforces skills learned during therapy.
• Homework Assignments: Therapists can assign specific tasks or exercises for clients to complete with ChatGPT, providing additional reinforcement and practice.

Incorporating ChatGPT into speech therapy sessions can enhance the therapy experience by providing interactive, engaging, and consistent practice opportunities. While it is not a replacement for a trained speech-language pathologist, it is a valuable tool that can complement traditional therapy methods. By using these tips and strategies, therapists and clients can make the most of ChatGPT’s capabilities in the therapy setting. 

Enablr Therapy believes that partnership with families and school partners is essential to successful therapy outcomes.  Contact us for more information.