VoiceXP

Originally created by a parent to support a child with
Selective Mutism and Autism Spectrum Disorder, VoiceXP complements strategies used by families, educators, and speech professionals through low-pressure, play-based interactions involving breath, sound, and self-expression. Rather than prompting direct speech, the app creates a structured but flexible environment where children can explore vocalization, regulate arousal, and engage with sound at their own pace.

The app consists of two primary modalities. The first, Unwind, provides nonverbal tools for emotional processing, including calming visuospatial interactions and a creative sandbox (“My Quiet World”) where children can express internal experiences without relying on words. This feature has shown particular promise in situations where verbal expression is inaccessible, offering an alternative pathway for emotional release and communication.

The second modality, Sound Play, includes a series of voice- and breath-responsive games inspired in part by vocal warm-up techniques and playful experimentation with sound. These activities emphasize volume awareness, breath control, and gradual exposure to self-generated sound in a non-evaluative setting. For example, children can control movement (e.g., a flying dragon) through vocal intensity, helping build awareness of how sound maps to physical output.

A particularly novel component is the “Blend In” choir-conducting experience, inspired by real-world observations of passive vocal engagement in group singing environments. In this activity, children interact with layered vocal tracks (bass, tenor, alto, soprano) and are invited to hum or vocalize along. The goal is not performance, but immersion—encouraging the child to “blend” with existing sound rather than initiate it independently.

VoiceXP is not intended as a replacement for therapy, but as a complementary tool that may support emotional regulation, sound familiarity, and gradual voice engagement across environments. This session will share design principles, early observations, and opportunities for further exploration, particularly in integrating sensory-based and creative approaches into SM support tools.