Do you know anything about a cleft palate?

Question

Grandson was born with a cleft palate. Not a cleft lip. It was surgically repaired. He's 2 yrs old and still does not talk. Is this normal? Does anyone know from experience?

Answer 1

have not had any but the link might tell you more i pasted a part of the article for you.


The Speech-Language Pathologist is also an essential member of the cleft palate team. Children with cleft palate often have delayed speech and language development. The speech-language pathologist will be involved in parent education, newborn feeding instruction, and evaluation and treatment of speech, language, voice and resonance disorders.

The evaluation and treatment of a child with cleft lip +/- palate requires ongoing services from a team of various professionals in a coordinated timely manner. Successful rehabilitation of the child is dependent on continued care by these professionals. Note that not all children with orofacial anomalies will require the care of a cleft palate team. For example, some children with submucous, or occult clefts of the palate, who do not have an impairment of speech/hearing may not need this service.

Answer 2

I've never known anyone with a cleft palate, but I do know a little about them.

It's normal for his speech to be delayed. After all, with a cleft palate (or lip) it would be difficult to speak since that part of your mouth is handicapped.

I'd say it's normal for him not to be speaking yet. Some kids don't talk at this age anyway..cleft palate or not.

I would suggest getting him into some speech therapy sessions. I've known people to use this and the results are amazing. Good luck and God bless to you and your grandson :-)

Answer 3

Not talking has nothing to do with a cleft palate. He probably needs a speech therapist to work with him though. You can call the local school district and ask for a referral to the Early Start program. I work with children from ages birth-3 years old. Kids with a cleft palate may need speech because they have issues pronouncing some words, but they should be talking.