Cleft Lip and Palate Therapy

Baby with Cleft Lip and Palate

Comprehensive Speech & Resonance Therapy for Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital conditions affecting oral and facial development, often leading to speech, feeding, and resonance challenges. At the Center for Orofacial Myology, we specialize in providing individualized cleft speech therapy to help patients achieve clear, confident communication.

Our cleft lip and palate therapy program is designed to address

Speech Sound Errors

Children with cleft conditions may develop compensatory articulation errors, where sounds are produced incorrectly due to structural differences. Our therapy helps retrain speech production for clearer articulation.

Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD)

Some children with cleft palate struggle with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), where the soft palate does not properly close off airflow to the nose during speech, causing hypernasality. Our treatment includes resonance therapy to improve vocal quality and reduce nasal speech characteristics.

Feeding and Swallowing Challenges

Some infants and young children with cleft conditions experience difficulty feeding due to poor suction or nasal regurgitation. We provide early intervention and strategies to support feeding development.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools for Precision Therapy

To provide personalized and effective treatment, we utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques, including:

  1. Nasopharyngoscopy – A specialized procedure that allows us to visualize the velopharyngeal port (the area where the soft palate and throat muscles meet) to assess structural function during speech. This helps determine if surgical intervention, therapy, or a combination of both is needed.
  2. Aerodynamic & Acoustic Assessments – We use specialized assessments to analyze airflow, pressure, and resonance patterns to ensure therapy is tailored to the patient’s needs.

Speech Therapy

Mollie

Our Expert Clinician

Leading this service is Mollie Glaspell, MS, CCC-SLP, TOM, an experienced Cleft Lip and Palate Specialist with a deep understanding of cleft-related speech disorders and the latest therapeutic techniques. She works closely with patients of all ages, from infants needing early intervention to children and adults seeking advanced therapy.

Why Early Intervention Matters

Early, specialized therapy is crucial in helping children with cleft conditions develop effective speech patterns, confidence, and social communication skills. Our team collaborates with oral surgeons, ENTs, orthodontists, and craniofacial teams to ensure comprehensive care.