A user-experiences-based approach for designing connected speech and language therapeutic toys in a smart city

Abstract

This study explores the design, development, and evaluation of SALTT-CITY, a connected bilingual language intervention tool for Maltese-English-speaking children aged between five-to-eight years old, namely those diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Given the scarcity of local, evidence-based gamified resources for bilingual intervention in Malta, this research seeks to investigate the need for innovative, user-centred tools that combine traditional play with connected technologies. Using a user-centred research design and a mixed-methods approach, the study integrated qualitative and quantitative data collection to explore the diverse perspectives of speech and language pathologists, caregivers and children on the SALTT-CITY board game and companion app. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and thematic analysis were used to scrutinise how connected technologies stand to enhance engagement and accessibility and support both implicit and explicit language intervention approaches. The findings suggest that SALTT-CITY has the potential to facilitate more tailor-made and engaging intervention experiences by aligning with tiered service delivery models and promoting collaborative learning. The study identified key design considerations for integrating connected technologies into language intervention while highlighting challenges related to usability, personalisation, and clinician adoption. Ultimately, this study contributes to the evolving field of gamified and connected therapeutic tools by offering a look into their role in language intervention. Through the bridging of traditional and digital play, SALTT-CITY brought forth a scalable model for the enhancement of language therapy practices, with further implications for future technology assisted therapy.