Premium
The efficacy of speech and language therapy for cleft palate speech disorders
Author(s) -
ALBERY LIZ
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of language and communication disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.101
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1460-6984
pISSN - 1368-2822
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-6984.1995.tb01678.x
Subject(s) - articulation (sociology) , speech therapy , psychology , phonological disorder , speech therapist , speech language pathology , audiology , communication disorder , language disorder , developmental psychology , medicine , phonology , physical therapy , linguistics , psychiatry , philosophy , cognition , politics , political science , law
The incidence of cleft palate is approximately 1 in 600 live births, and when velopharyngeal disorders (sub‐mucous cleft, pharyngeal disproportion, neurological disorders affecting the velopharynx) are added, most speech and language therapists will treat one or more of this client group in their career. There is a dearth of research literature on the efficacy of therapy, but evidence will be considered related to (1) Type of therapy (neither traditional articulation therapy nor phonological therapy is appropriate in isolation, they need to work hand in hand for maximum efficacy — how is this achieved?). (2) Timing of therapy (more speech and language therapists are working in a preventative role with the parents of infants and toddlers to encourage good feeding, language and phonological development — is this justified by the research literature in terms of outcome and time spent? Controversy exists over whether to correct articulation pre‐ or post‐pharyngoplasty — do we have enough evidence to say which is more ?ffective?). (3) Frequency of therapy — are intensive courses more effective long‐term than conventional weekly therapy?