Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality, and Automation in Speech-Language Pathology: Integrating Technology Into Clinical Practice

Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality, and Automation in Speech-Language Pathology: Integrating Technology Into Clinical Practice explores emerging technologies and their impact on the services provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The accessibility of new digital solutions has reshaped clinical practice, creating new opportunities to enhance efficiency, deliver more personalized care, and expand access to dynamic tools for intervention.

This first-of-its-kind resource provides practicing SLPs with a solid foundation in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR), and automation, equipping practitioners with the knowledge and skills to integrate these innovations into daily practice. Emphasizing application across assessment, intervention, workload management, and consultation services, it serves as a comprehensive guide to enhancing both clinical effectiveness and patient outcomes.

Up-to-date research, guidelines for practical application, and future-oriented perspectives demonstrate how SLPs can apply digital solutions today while preparing for tomorrow’s evolving landscape. With a strong emphasis on ethical considerations, this text promotes the responsible adoption of technology to ensure that it enhances, rather than replaces, the human expertise central to care.

Rich with resources and actionable guidance, this essential text positions SLPs at the forefront of innovation and the future of their profession.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Coverage of Cutting-Edge Technologies: Covers AI, XR, and automation, highlighting how these tools are currently applied and can be further harnessed in speech-language pathology.
• Application and Real-World Examples: Goes beyond theoretical discussions, providing direction for implementation through case studies and real-world examples. 
• Focus on Ethical and Practical Considerations: Addresses critical ethical and practical considerations unique to each system, covering topics such as privacy, data security, and integration challenges. 
• Resource Accessibility and Comprehensive Guide: Designed to be a one-stop guide for practicing clinicians, providing foundational theories, insights, and resources for SLPs.
• Future-Oriented Insights: Each section of the book ends with a forward-looking perspective, discussing future advancements and their potential impact on speech-language pathology.

PluralPlus Online Ancillaries

• Videos: Section overviews and interviews discussing key topics from the book and current trends in speech-language pathology technology.
• Downloadable Checklists: Ready-to-use checklists for technology implementation in various clinical settings.
• Downloadable Tables: Chapter-specific tables that organize and summarize essential information.
• Downloadable Chapter Takeaways: Clear, accessible summaries highlighting the key points and main insights from each chapter.
• Digital Tools and Technologies: Lists of recommended software, apps, and tools for speech-language pathology practice.

Reviews

“The book lists current, up-to date research and is written by individuals with an expert level of knowledge on the topic. There are good ethical discussions throughout (The “Take Your Ethical Temperature” was engaging as a reader). Chapter 1 and 16 were especially memorable. There are also good practical case studies (Chapters 7, 10, and 13) that apply these concepts in a way that SLPs will understand. The book gives a strong mix of technical and practical information on AI. I do appreciate the deep dives in technical language (Chapters 6 and 9), because this can be hard to find on the internet in regards to speech-language pathology. It also provides a good mindset for using AI, regardless of where it goes in the future. There are also good clinical examples. I also like the wide variety of authors and how the chapters go over many different topics. Any SLP who is interested in starting to use AI to help support their clinical practice would benefit from reading this comprehensive book.”
—Sarah Bishop, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District

“Well-suited for both SLP training programs and experienced clinicians. The clear explanations of complex concepts, combined with practical examples, make it an invaluable resource for those looking to understand the impact of technology and AI on clinical practices. The book's attention to ethical and cultural considerations is particularly commendable, as it addresses the broader implications of AI in the field. […] The book is much needed, addressing a critical need for the SLP profession. It integrates recent research, providing a solid foundation for understanding of technology and AI's impact on clinical practices.”
—Dean Sutherland, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Canterbury

“The book provides an excellent outline of AI and its potential for SLPs at any phase of their career. The text is well written, and easy to follow, even for someone with limited background in AI.”
—Kimberly Ho, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA, LABA, Assistant Clinical Professor, Northeastern University

“This book discusses highly relevant content related to the quick growth of technology and the addition of AI as well as XR, VR, AR and MR. In addition to explaining how these tools can benefit clinicians and clinical care, there is an in-depth discussion on how AI needs to meet compliancy requirements set by medical protections such as HIPAA, cultural and linguistic differences, as well as addresses concerns related to false interpretations or AI hallucinations that affect accuracy information. Additionally, the authors consistently remind the reader of ethical considerations and quote the ASHA Code of Ethics Standards, while also providing recommendations and a framework to solve issues that affect implementation of AI in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. […] The explanations of AI as well as XR, VR, AR and MR throughout the book, highlight the benefits of using these tools while also addressing their current weaknesses and potential risks. For individuals who really don’t understand how all of these tools work, this is a great book.”
—Laura E. Smith, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH, Clinical Director and Clinical Associate Professor, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

“The technical chapters describing the vocabulary of AI and VR/AR were easy to digest without being overly complicated. I think this book provides a good basis of knowledge for working with AI. It would be a great resource for someone looking to incorporate AI and other technologies into their clinical and administrative practice. It would also be a great book for universities to use to train upcoming SLPS.”
—Kristin Testani, MS, CCC-SLP, SDL

Contents

Foreword by Martin Hall, PhD
Introduction
Acknowledgments
About the Editors
Contributors
Reviewers

Section I. Fundamentals of Integrating Technology Into Clinical Practice

Chapter 1. Digital Generations in Speech-Language Pathology 
Michelle Boisvert, Nerissa Hall, and Gareth Walkom

Chapter 2. Ethical Considerations for New and Future Technologies
Ellen R. Cohn, Jack Gareis, and Karen Golding-Kushner

Chapter 3. Cultural Considerations in Technology Adoption
Lesley Edwards-Gaither

Chapter 4. Practical Considerations for Clinical Applications of Innovative Technology
Mai Ling Chan

Chapter 5. A Framework for Integrating Technology Into Clinical Practice
Michelle Boisvert and Nerissa Hall

Section II. Artificial Intelligence in Speech-Language Pathology

Chapter 6. Foundations of Artificial Intelligence in Speech-Language Pathology
Yao Du, Lori Price, and Kathryn Lubniewski

Chapter 7. Applications of Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Therapy Through Case Studies
Michelle Boisvert and Nerissa Hall

Chapter 8. The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Speech-Language Pathology
Lori Price, Kathryn Lubniewski, and Yao Du

Section III. Extended Reality in Speech-Language Pathology

Chapter 9. Foundations of Extended Reality in Speech-Language Pathology
Jennine Harvey-Northrop, Yi-hsiang Isaac Chang, Gabriela Fonseca Pereira, and Megan E. Cuellar

Chapter 10. Applications of Extended Reality Through Case Studies
Gareth Walkom

Chapter 11. The Future of Extended Reality in Speech-Language Pathology
Jennine Harvey-Northrop, Yi-hsiang Isaac Chang, Gabriela Fonseca Pereira, and Megan E. Cuellar

Section IV. Automation in Speech-Language Pathology

Chapter 12. Foundations of Automation in Speech-Language Pathology
Michelle Boisvert and Nerissa Hall

Chapter 13. Applications of Automated Workload Management Through Case Studies
Michelle Boisvert

Chapter 14. The Future of Automation in Speech-Language Pathology
Michelle Boisvert

Section V. Integrating Innovative Technology Throughout Clinical Practice

Chapter 15. Technology Applications Along the Service Delivery Continuum in Speech-Language Pathology
K. Todd Houston

Chapter 16. Developing Skills for the Next Generation of Speech-Language Pathologists
Erik X. Raj, Emma G. Rizzuto, and Gina N. Delia

Chapter 17. iCARE: A Framework for Systematic Implementation of Innovative Technology
Michelle Boisvert and Nerissa Hall

Appendix. Digital Tools and Technologies for SLPs: A Curated Resource Guide

Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality, and Automation in Speech-Language Pathology: Integrating Technology Into Clinical Practice comes with access to supplementary student and instructor resources on a PluralPlus companion website.

The companion website is located at: https://www.pluralpublishing.com/publication/aiamrslp

SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES:

The resources include Videos, Downloadable Checklists, Downloadable Tables, Downloadable Chapter Takeaways, Digital Tools and Technologies.

To access the resources, you must register on the companion website and log in using the access code located in the front of your textbook.

*Note: If you have purchased this textbook used or have rented it, your access code will not work if it was already redeemed by the original buyer of the book. Plural Publishing does not offer replacement access codes for used or rented textbooks.