Total immersion speech camps for patients with cleft palate

Abstract

Background: Children with cleft palate (CCP) frequently shows language and/or speech disorders. However, a significant number of children cannot receive speech pathology treatment on a regular basis. For these children, new modalities of intervention have to be developed for stimulating speech and language. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to study and compare the two modalities of speech intervention in CCP: a conventional approach providing speech therapy in 1 h sessions, once a week, and a total immersion speech camp in which CCP received therapy within a naturalistic environment 10 h/day for a period of 5 days. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three children were studied. A matched control group was assembled. Children included in the experimental group attended a total immersion speech camp for 5 days. Matched control children received speech therapy once per week in 1 h sessions. Results: When comparing the advances of the CCP participating in total immersion speech camps to CCP assisting to speech therapy 1 day a week, significant similar advances (P > 0.05) in articulation were demonstrated. Moreover, significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found when articulation deficits were compared before and after the speech treatment periods. Conclusion: Total immersion speech camps seem to be a valid and reliable option for speech intervention in CCP.