Caregiver Survey-Based Perspectives on Digital Therapeutics for Children with Delayed Language Development

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Human-computer interaction
• Digital health

Background:

• Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) impacts children's communication skills.
• Digital tools offer potential for accessible and engaging speech therapy.
• Understanding caregiver perspectives is crucial for successful technology adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore caregiver perceptions, preferences, and intentions regarding digital articulation therapy applications for children with DLD.
• To identify factors influencing the acceptance of technology-assisted speech therapy.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey of 197 caregivers of children with DLD was conducted.
• A 43-item questionnaire assessed demographics, therapy experience, and digital tool usage.
• The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 constructs were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Caregivers preferred short, engaging daily sessions (20-40 min) with video or game-based content.
• Key preferences included feedback every two months and a monthly cost of 20,000-30,000 KRW.
• Performance expectancy and price value significantly predicted behavioral intention to use the applications.

Conclusions:

• Caregivers show a strong willingness to adopt digital articulation therapy applications.
• Application design should prioritize therapeutic outcomes, user engagement, and accessibility.
• Successful implementation requires motivating content and clear evidence of treatment effectiveness.