Cleft palate and speech.

Abstract

The problems of speech correction in cases of cleft palate need to be called to the attention of both the specialist in maxillofacial surgery and the family physician. The latter must be able to advise the parents as to the time when an operation is advisable and what the results may be. He must realize the importance of postoperative therapy. Without proper speech training, the patient cannot benefit from one of the major purposes of the operation. In this text, consideration is given to such subjects as congenital clefts of lips and palate; the anatomy and physiology of the normal palate and palatopharyngeal sphincter; the development of cleftpalate surgery; growth, development, and speech; the evaluation of the speech problem; and methods of treatment for these defects. Because this manual is intended primarily for the speech correctionist, many of its medical concepts will seem overly simplified or