Why Does a Cleft Lip or Palate Affect Speech?

A cleft lip or palate happens when a baby’s lip or the roof of their mouth doesn’t fully form during pregnancy. This can leave a gap that affects how children eat, breathe, and talk. Even after surgery to fix the cleft, children might need help learning how to make certain sounds.

Before Surgery

Before their palate is repaired (usually around age 1), children learn to make sounds while there is still an opening in the roof of their mouth. This can cause:

• Nasal sounds: Children might mostly make sounds like "m" and "n" because air escapes through their nose.
• Trouble with certain sounds: Sounds like “p” and “d” need air pressure in the mouth, which isn’t possible with an open palate. For example, a child with cleft will be able to say "mama" but struggle to say "dada."

After Surgery

Once the palate is repaired, children with cleft need to learn how to use the muscles in the roof of their mouth to stop air from escaping through their nose. This can be tricky because they’ve spent a year or more learning to talk without these muscles. Some kids develop habits like:

• Making sounds in their throat instead of their mouth
• Pushing air through their nose while talking

How Speech Therapy Can Help

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with children with cleft palate to address their unique speech needs.

What Does Speech Therapy Look Like?

1. Teaching Where Sounds Should Happens
   • Even before surgery, a SLP can help children practice making sounds in their mouth instead of their throat.
2. Showing How to Make Specific Sounds
   • Therapists teach kids how to use their tongue, lips, and jaw to make sounds like “sh” or “s” in the right spot in their mouth.
3. Building Confidence in Communication
   • Therapy isn’t just about sounds. It helps children feel more confident talking with friends, teachers, and family.
4. Getting Parents and Family Involved
   • You’re a key part of your child’s progress! Therapists provide activities and tips for practicing at home, so you can support what they’re learning in sessions.
5. Working with Other Specialists
   • A child with cleft might have a team of doctors and specialists. Regular speech therapy can help ensure everyone is on the same page and track progress.

Why Early Speech Therapy Matters

Speech therapy isn’t just about clear speech—it can boost your child’s self-esteem. When kids can express themselves clearly, they feel more confident in school, at play, and at home. This confidence helps them connect with others and thrive socially and academically.

Starting therapy early makes a big difference. Addressing speech challenges sooner helps your child avoid frustration and makes learning new sounds easier.