Hybrid AI-assisted and traditional speech therapy for /r/ and /s/ sounds in children
Genesis: Clinical Trial of Better Speech's Artificial Intelligence Helper for Speech Therapy
This will test whether adding an AI speech therapist called Jessica to weekly SLP sessions helps children ages 5–17 improve their /r/ or /s/ sounds faster than standard SLP-only therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 5 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Syracuse University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Syracuse, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT07061730 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial compares a hybrid treatment (one weekly clinician-led telepractice session plus 60 minutes per week of AI-guided home practice with Jessica) to traditional treatment (one weekly clinician-led telepractice session) over eight weeks. Children are assigned to work on either the /ɹ/ or /s/ sound based on clinical need, randomized and stratified by clinician, with an expected enrollment of 100 participants aged 5–17. Outcomes include articulation measures (GFTA-3 percentile changes) and satisfaction feedback from parents and speech-language pathologists. Participants must speak American English, have no major cognitive, neurological, or structural speech impairments, and have broadband internet for telepractice.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 5;0–17;11 who speak American English as a primary language, score at or below the 10th percentile on the GFTA-3, want to improve /ɹ/ or /s/ productions, and have broadband internet access.
Not a fit: Children with significant cognitive, neurological, or structural speech issues or listed exclusions (e.g., autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, epilepsy, significant hearing loss, ADHD/Tourette's/OCD, cleft palate, orthodontic appliances that block the palate) or those who lack broadband or English as a primary language are unlikely to benefit from this phase.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the hybrid model could increase practice dose and speed up articulation gains without substantially increasing clinician time.
How similar studies have performed: Previous telepractice and computer-assisted articulation programs have shown promise for increasing practice intensity, but AI-assisted hybrid models specifically for /ɹ/ and /s/ production are relatively new and not yet well-established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Response to be filled out by the Parent after sign up. * Does the child speak American English as one of their primary languages: Yes * At what age did the child first begin to learn English? Age 4 or younger * Child's current age: \> 5 years or \< 17 years 8 months * Does the child have any known history of any of the following: autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, permanent hearing loss, epilepsy/antiepileptic medication, or brain injury/neurosurgery/stroke: NO * Does the child have a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome, or OCD? NO * Does the child currently have orthodontic appliances that block the roof of the mouth (e.g., palate expanders)? NO * Does the child currently have a cleft palate, fluency disorder (e.g., stuttering), or voice disorder? NO * Is one of your goals for your child to work on saying the "r" or "s" sounds? YES Exclusion Criteria: * EXCLUSIONARY Response to be filled out by the Parent after sign up. * Does the child speak American English as one of their primary languages: No * At what age did the child first begin to learn English? Age 4 or older * Child's current age: \<5 years or \> 17 years 8 months * Does the child have any known history of any of the following: autism spectrum disorder, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, permanent hearing loss, epilepsy/antiepileptic medication, or brain injury/neurosurgery/stroke: YES * Does the child have a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, Tourette's Syndrome, or OCD? YES * Does the child currently have orthodontic appliances that block the roof of the mouth (e.g., palate expanders)? YES * Does the child currently have a cleft palate, fluency disorder (e.g., stuttering), or voice disorder? YES * Is one of your goals for your child to work on saying the "r" or "s" sounds? NO
Where this trial is running
Syracuse, New York
- Syracuse University — Syracuse, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jonathan Preston
- Email: jopresto@syr.edu
- Phone: 315-443-3013
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.