Designing a Stuttering Chatbot: A speech-language pathologist's exploration of AI for clinical teaching

Abstract

In my first two years as a clinical lecturer, I turned to AI with curiosity as I attempted to find and define my teaching philosophy. Drawing on my clinical background as a speech-language pathologist, I designed AI-based simulations- including a custom chatbot that stuttered- to help graduate students practice counseling skills in realistic, emotionally charged scenarios. This reflection explores how embracing generative AI transformed my novice teaching practice and established my identity as an educator. Rather than replacing the human elements of teaching, AI helped reveal them- offering space for risk and resulting in growth.