Some speakers have trouble with the “r” sound even after months or years of therapy. Studies have shown that computer-based therapy methods can be helpful in treating speech difficulty affecting "r". We are conducting a study to compare the effects of computer-based speech therapy when delivered in-person versus online.
ABOUT THE STUDY:
Eligibility
Kids and teens 9-17 years old who have difficulty producing the correct "r" sound
Started learning American English no later than age 3
No history of major hearing loss or developmental disorder (e.g., Down syndrome, cerebral palsy).
Access to a laptop or desktop computer (not a tablet or Chrome Book)
Compensation
Free speech treatment sessions (plus $5 for travel costs)
$20/hour for evaluation sessions
Time Commitment
Initial evaluation (two sessions roughly 1.5 hours long)
2 treatment sessions per week for approximately 10 weeks
Follow-up evaluation sessions immediately after treatment and 6 weeks later
What You Will Do
For the first ten weeks, you will receive computer-based speech therapy from a speech pathologist
You will be randomly assigned to receive treatment in-person or via remote video calls
After 10 weeks, you will be randomly assigned to 6 weeks of "watch and wait" or 6 weeks of home practice with speech software
MORE INFORMATION:
This research has ethics approval (BRANY #18-10-393)
This research study is being conducted by research groups at New York University, Syracuse University, and Montclair State University under the supervision of Dr. Tara McAllister, Dr. Jonathan Preston, and Dr. Elaine Hitchcock.
If you have further questions, please email nyuchildspeech@gmail.com
Interested in enrolling your child? Please fill out this form and a member of our research team will contact you.