Logopedic Therapy for Children With Cleft Upper Lip on Both Sides - Case Report

Abstract

Children with cleft lips and/or palate, have a greater risk in delaing the development of speech and language in relation to their peers in the their typical growth. Research has shown that children with cleft lip vocalize as often as all other children of typical growth, but differences are observed in the complexity of early vocalization, pronunciation of consonants and the time required for pronunciation of the first word. The aim of the work was to show logopedic therapy with boys who have bilateral/both sides cleft upper lips. A boy, age of four, came to an examination with speech therapist. Based on heteroanamnesis done with the mother and his medical record ,the following data were obtained. The cleft upper lip on both sides was first discovered in the mother’s uterus, by an ultrasound examination.Since birth he was fed by syringe , in duration of four to five months, and milk and solid food was introduced gradually. The first operational procedure , correction of the cleft lips , was performed at the age of one, and the second one,three years later. Both operations went in orderly. Child understands most of the verbal orders and executes them , but his speech is incomprehensible for the wider social environment. It was recommended and implemented intense logopedic therapy. The pronunciation of children with cleft lips and/or palate is often characterized by the disorder of the resonance, articulation and phonation. These three aspects may negatively affect the entire understanding of speech, and also on social skills and emotional growth. Due to the above, it can be concluded that understandable speech is the mutual primary aim of surgical interventions and logopedic therapy.