Background. This study reports comparative phonological assessment results for children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) to typically developing peers using an evaluation tool for early phonological skills. Methods. Children without clefts (NC = noncleft) and 24 children with CLP, ages of 18–36 months, were evaluated using the Profile of Early Expressive Phonological Skills (PEEPSs) [1]. Children interacted with toy manipulatives to elicit a representative sample of target English consonants and syllable structures that are typically acquired by children between 18 and 27 months of age. Results. Results revealed significant differences between the two groups with regard to measures of consonant inventory, place of articulation, manner of production, accuracy, and error patterns. Syllable structure did not indicate differences, with the exception of initial consonant clusters. Conclusions. findings provide support for PEEPS as a viable option for single-word assessment of children with CLP prior to 3 years of age.

Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the early vocalization skills in children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) at 6 and 12 months of age and compare these early vocalization measures to later speech and vocabulary development at 30 months of age. Methods The participants in the study included 13 children without cleft lip or palate (NCLP) who were typically developing and 13 children with CLP matched for age, gender and socioeconomic status. Standardized measures of cognition, language, hearing, and prelinguistic vocalization measures were administered at 6 and 12 months and speech production, and vocabulary measures were collected at 30 months of age. Results Group differences were observed in both receptive and expressive language development at 12 and 30 months of age. Group differences were observed in the frequency of babbling and Mean Babbling Level at 12 months and speech sound accuracy and vocabulary production at 30 months of age. Significant correlation coefficients were observed between babbling frequency at 6 months and consonant inventory size, vocabulary at 30 months for the children with clefts and PCC-R for noncleft children. Conclusions This study documented that young children with clefts have persistent vocalization and vocabulary deficits well beyond palate closure. Measures of babbling frequency, Mean Babbling Level and consonant inventories provide clinically effective means of identifying these early deficits. Additionally, these measures may provide a tool for monitoring the effects of early intervention programs that promote facilitation of sound and vocabulary development.

The purpose of this project is to determine inclusion of the ICF-CY in Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) training curricula for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). Survey research was conducted with CLP course instructors across the nation. Results describe the application of the ICF-CY in CLP courses at the graduate level. Recommendations for including the ICF-CY framework are made. Cleft Lip and Palate, one of the most prevalent birth defects in the US, affects 7,090 infants per year with an incidence of approximately 1 in 600 births (Center for Disease Control, 2006). SLPs require skills and competencies in assessing and treating CLP, however the academic and clinical preparation of SLPs regarding CLP remains a topic of concern. Training issues in CLP have been researched since the 1960’s (Vallino et al., 2008). Sharp and O’Gara (2014) suggested discussing training programs regarding the core learning outcomes for entry-level preparation in resonance disorders. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) (WHO, 2007) provides an important, holistic framework for children with CLP. The ICF-CY’s interrelated components emphasize the factors influencing the activities and participation of children with CLP. Despite research recommending incorporation of the ICF-CY into SLP training curricula, the inclusion of the ICF-CY in CLP courses has not been explored to date as far as could be determined. The current study aimed to survey CLP graduate course instructors to describe the content of curricula and to determine the extent to which the ICF-CY is being included and applied in teaching assessment and intervention of CLP. A 35-item questionnaire was constructed to obtain information regarding academic and clinical training in the area of CLP in US graduate programs. Survey questions targeted demographic information regarding the program, course, and instructor. Survey questions also examined the inclusion of the ICF-CY framework into course content regarding assessment and intervention. The survey was administered via an online academic survey tool. The survey was distributed to the department chairs of ASHA accredited SLP graduate programs to be completed by training programs’ faculty who teach the CLP (or related) course. 61 fully completed surveys were eligible 2016 Appalachian Student Research Forum Page 101 for analysis. An item-by-item analysis was performed to describe survey results. Results showed only 23% of respondents reported teaching a course exclusively related to CLP, which confirms concerns related to Vallino et al. (2008) and other researchers. The ICF-CY does not yet appear to be fully integrated into CLP coursework and in response to the question posed by the researchers, does not appear to be alive and well in US CLP curricula. A case is made for the ICF-CY framework to be incorporated into CLP curricula to provide future SLPs a holistic perspective of children with CLP and to extend their thinking about the impact of speech impairment associated with CLP. Including the ICF-CY framework in training will facilitate collaborative inter-professional care of children with CLP. Finally, the inclusion of the ICF components and their interaction into ASHA’s most recent draft of the Scope of Practice in SpeechLanguage Pathology emphasizes the necessity of ICF inclusion in course curriculum to support provision of high-quality services.

Framework and Research Question: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO 2001) is a framework to address functioning and disability related to a health condition within the context of the individual’s activities and participation in everyday life. Therefore, in addition to the audiologic test battery the individual’s perception of hearing status and its impact on communication should be considered. The aim of this study is to describe the hearing status of Mauritian adultslivingwith CL/P and their perceptions of the role of hearing in their lives

To date there is a lack of information on how young adults in Mauritius, a representation of the majority contexts, experience living with CLP. The aim of this study is to give a voice to young Mauritian adults with CLP; in describing their treatment journey and satisfaction with cleft care.

Participants will be able to: Describe the characteristics and needs of young adults with CLP. Discuss the model of transition of care for the young adult with CLP. Extrapolate strategies that teams could use to improve the care of young adults with CLP. Full abstract available through The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal.

Learner Outcomes: Acknowledge the application value of the ICF to individuals with CLP. Integrate the ICF framework into the assessment of individuals with CLP. Formulate intervention goals that go beyond speech production skills to include functional communication outcomes in a variety of life situations. Include improvement and changes in communication participation in everyday functioning in assessment and progress reports.

Participants will be able to: Describe the characteristics and needs of young adults with CLP. Discuss the model of transition of care for the young adult with CLP. Extrapolate strategies that teams could use to improve the care of young adults with CLP.

A descriptive survey with 19 Speech-Language Therapists from public health and four from private health was used to obtain an overview of Speech-Language Therapy services for children with cleft lip and/or palate from birth to three years in the KwaZulu-Natal Health Sector. Results are presented for public health, as none of the four private based respondents worked with cleft lip and/or palate from birth to three years. The number of Speech-Language Therapists (9) working with cleft lip and/or palate (0-3 years) in KwaZulu-Natal appears not to have changed significantly over the past two to three years, similar to the incidence of cleft lip and/or palate births. Reasons for Speech-Language Therapists not working with this population included poor referrals and caseloads comprising of clients older than three years. A team approach to cleft care appears challenging but showing development. There are currently four institutions where professionals function as multidisciplinary teams, consisting mainly of Speech-Language Therapists, doctors and nurses. Speech-Language Therapists’ assessments include case history taking, oral peripheral examination, observational feeding assessment and speech-language assessment. Most therapists are consulted within a few days of the birth, which is consistent with international guidelines. Audiological assessment and assessment of resonance were mentioned by a minority of participants. Feeding devices for cleft lip and/or palate are not always available immediately, and hence appears contradictory to the National Rehabilitation Policy. Recommendations include undertaking similar research in other provinces, so as to build a nationwide overview of services for South African children with cleft lip and/or palate. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed Oct. 31, 2007). Includes bibliographical references (p. 42-45).