Speech Treatment in Post Junior High School Age Cleft Palate Patients

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Cleft Palate Association Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 21 - 28
• Main Authors: HORI, Shigeru, KUSUDA, Rieko, MIURA, Mayumi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Cleft Palate Association 31.03.1990
• Subjects: above junior high school age; actual treatment rate; cleft palate; speech therapy; 口蓋裂; 年長者; 治療経過; 言語治療
• ISSN: 0386-5185; 2186-5701
• DOI: 10.11224/cleftpalate1976.15.1_21

One hundred and fifty nine cleft lip and/or cleft palate patients were treated from May,1984 to January,1989 in our clinic. The treatment plan, treatment substance and results in the 31 post junior high school age patients were shown. In addition, the factors leading to treatment problems were analyzed. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The 31 subjects included 7 patients in junior high school,6 in senior high school,3 in university and 15 employed. 2) Velopharyngeal function was good in 8, fair in 4 and poor in 19 patients. Articulation ability was good in 9, fair in 8 and poor in 14 patients. 3) Reconstructive surgery of the palate was indicated in 10 patients. Reconstructive surgery of the palate as well as articulation training were indicated in 9 patients. Articulation training was indicated in 5 patients. Treatment indications to improve speech were found in a total of 24 patients (77.4 %). 4) Treatment was undertaken in only 12 (50 %) of these 24 patients, indicating that the actual treatment rate was not so high. 5) In 10 patients (41.7 %), speech was improved after treatment. This rate of speech improvement was low compared to cases in which articulation training was completed during the first 3 years of primary school. 6) The low rate of actual treatment was due in part to the fact that there were some patients who did not desire treatment or who terminated their articulation training. This was due to lack of proper recognintion of their speech disorder and insufficient time for articulation training because of business or school activities. 7) It is important that there be correct speech recongnition in order that normal speech be acquired at a young age. It is necessary that the surgeon transfer the patient to the speech therapist smoothly after the primary palate operation. 8) Velopharyngeal function may change with growth, and improved articulation ability may deteriorate because of changes in the shape of the oral cavity due to orthodontic treatment or lack of carry-over practice, suggesting that the time of complete followup or articulation training be carefully considered.