Monitoring Speech and Language Development

Description:

Due to the hearing loss experienced by many children with a cleft palate, and the fact that the mechanics required to make certain sounds are missing, children can be delayed in their speech development.  A speech therapist should monitor your child’s development from early on and be aware of any ongoing problems.

Things to talk about:

• If you have not met your speech language therapist (SLT) by the time of the palate repair, ask to be referred.
• During SLT therapy sessions, it may appear that the therapist is simply playing with your child, but this is an excellent way of monitoring progress.
• You should be involved in the process of helping your child.  You can take part during sessions and continue the work at home.
• There is a shortage of therapy time available, so make sure you tell the team if you feel you are not getting sufficient therapy.
• If further surgery is suggested, make sure that investigation by a videofluoroscopy or nasendoscopy has been done.

Important information:

• Not every child with a cleft lip and/or palate experiences speech development problems.
• Some speech problems your child may have, may not be related to the cleft.
• As a parent, you have a very accurate gut feel when things are not going as they should be.  Always act on these feelings and let your team know the concerns that you have.
• Speech is one area where we can help our children, talk to other parents to see what they do.  Use the forum on the website to ask questions.