In speech pathology, the rapid evolution and implementation of artificial intelligence, particularly virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), opens up an amazing world of new opportunities for our assessments and therapy with children and adults.

In this episode of ‘What’s got us talking…’ UTS researchers Dr Lucy Bryant and A/Prof Catarina Pinto Moreira (UNESCO Co-Chair on Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality) expand upon the practical and ethical challenges that clinicians might face, and need to be aware of, before they think about using artificial intelligence (AI) and VR / AR devices.

We explore the promises and pitfalls of immersive technologies like AR and VR, and how these could help reshape speech pathology assessment, therapy, and services.

Resources:

Bryant, L., Brunner, M., & Hemsley, B. (2019). A review of virtual reality technologies in the field of communication disability: implications for practice and research. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 15(4), 365–372.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2018.1549276

Bryant, L., & Hemsley, B. (2022). Augmented reality: a view to future visual supports for people with disability. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 19(3), 800–813.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17483107.2022.2125090

UNESCO Chair: Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality
https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/UnescoAIXR/

XAVIER - Combines AI and VR in radiology
https://unescoaixr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/Xavier/

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley
Guests: Dr Lucy Bryant and A/Prof Catarina Pinto Moreira
Producer: Ali Aitken

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Dementia often changes a person’s communication while also increasing their need for connection and support. In this episode of ‘What’s Got Us Talking…’, we explore the impact of communication changes in dementia, and the important role speech pathologists play in enabling more successful communication and connection.

Resources:

Dementia Australia:
Talking to someone with dementia https://www.dementia.org.au/living-dementia/staying-connected/talking-someone-dementia

Speech Pathology Australia Factsheet on Dementia and Communication:
https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/CommunicationHub/Fact-Sheets/Dementia%20and%20communication%20FINAL.pdf

Speech Pathology Australia Dementia Practice Guideline:
Working with People with Lived Experience of Dementia https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/Shared_Content/Smart-Suite/Smart-Library/Public/Smart-Library-View.aspx?resource=920

Systematic Review of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People with Dementia (Open Access)
Folder, N., Power, E., Rietdijk, R., Christensen, I., Togher, L., & Parker, D. (2023). The Effectiveness and Characteristics of Communication Partner Training Programs for Families of People with Dementia: A Systematic Review. The Gerontologist. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnad095

Host: Professor Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Naomi Folder and Gwenda Darling

Producer: Ali Aitken

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Recognising the rising popularity of GLP/NLA, we bring the results of a systematic review into the conversation and explore some reasons for its rapid growth despite the absence of research evidence.

Resources:

Key paper:

• Bryant, L., Bowen, C., Grove, R. et al. (2024) Systematic review of interventions based on Gestalt Language Processing and Natural Language Acquisition (GLP/NLA): Clinical implications of absence of evidence and cautions for clinicians and parents. Curr Dev Disord Rep 12, 1–14 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40474-024-00312-z

Websites for evidence-based practices

• Autism Evidence and Practice (The National clearinghouse, NCAEP, USA). https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/

• Australian Autism CRE (Centre for Research Excellence) evidence tables https://www.autismcrc.com.au/interventions-evidence/summary-umbrella-review/evidence-table

Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Dr Lucy Bryant and Dr Caroline Bowen, AM.

Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

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As multilingual speech pathology is an emerging field of research and practice, we explore how and why speech pathologists support multilingual clients, and several new developments. it.

Resources:

• Multilingual Children’s Speech YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRXcSAl_dA7arRMrE0qdxLuzGChY1LgY2

• Multilingual Children’s Speech website: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech

Key paper:

• McLeod, S., & Crowe, K. (2018). Children’s consonant acquisition in 27 languages: A cross-linguistic review. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(4), 1546–1571. https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_AJSLP-17-0100

• Free posters: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/multilingual-speech/speech-acquisition/learning-english-consonants

Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Dr Denise Ng, Prof Sharynne McCleod, Emily Chan, and Lily.

Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

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When a person’s voice doesn’t match the gender they identify with, this can cause dysphoria. Here’s how speech pathologists and students at UTS are helping transgender clients.

Resources:

American Speech-Language Hearing Association page https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/voice-and-communication-change-for-transgender-people/

Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Dr Catherine Gregory, Skye Walker, Jenna Nelson, and Kathy Zhou.

Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

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We used generative AI to write this podcast headline, and then checked it matched our intended meaning. Here’s other ways we’re using it in speech pathology.

Resources:

• https://theconversation.com/will-ai-tech-like-chatgpt-improve-inclusion-for-people-with-communication-disability-196481

• Speech Pathology Australia Position Statement on Artificial Intelligence in Speech Pathology: Ethical Considerations https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/resource?resource=935

• Australian Government Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools https://www.education.gov.au/schooling/resources/australian-framework-generative-artificial-intelligence-ai-schools

Host: Prof Bronwyn Hemsley

Guests: Prof Emma Power, Fiona Given, Tristan Nickless, Bernadette Frewen, and Lauren Reinhardt.

Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

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Discover the latest research and insights in Speech Pathology from the University of Technology Sydney. Join Professor Bronwyn Hemsley, Head of Speech Pathology at UTS, as she starts the conversations shaping the field. A must-listen for speechies, students, and their curious friends. Produced by Laura Corrigan, thanks to 2SER

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.