Join others this
July in spreading the word about National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness
Month.
Children born
with cleft lip, cleft palate or craniofacial disorders encounter health
conditions that affect both structure and function of a their head and face
(CDC). Each year, numerous infants are born with a cleft lip. Many are born with a cleft palate as
well.
According to the
Cleft Palate Foundation, a cleft lip is a separation of the two sides of a lip,
whereas a cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth in which two
sides did not fuse during development. These congenital defects occur very
early in pregnancy, often due to genetics and environmental factors.
Treatments vary depending on the severity of the defect. Frequently, a team of
medical, surgical, dental and other health professionals work to ensure all
developmental and medical needs are met. Additional support services such as
speech therapy may be beneficial. Speech
therapists at Pediatric Therapy Partners, for example, may practice oral-motor
skills, feeding, language skills, and other rehabilitation services that can
help support a child’s plan for short-term or long-term goals.
Janette
Venaas-Gilbraith, Speech Coordinator and owner at Pediatric Therapy Partners,
explains how therapy can improve skills throughout a child’s life.
“It is essential for
children with repaired clefts to initiate direct speech and language services
to increase the child's sensation where the clefts have been repaired to
increase blood flow, feeling, and movement. The earlier the child initiates
therapy for the repaired cleft areas and for craniofacial anomalies the better
the outcomes for the child has to improve his speech, language, and feeding
skills,” Janette said.
The Speech-Language staff
at Pediatric Therapy Partners has been trained in specific strategies to better
the child's outcomes with clefts and craniofacial anomalies. If you have concerns about your child, please
call or visit our website at www.pediatrictherapypartners.com for more
information.
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