Speech therapy that cleft lip patients need to undergo

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health's Data Center, the percentage of children with cleft lip (cleft lip) and palate reached 20.4% from 2014-2018. Not only difficulty eating, children with this condition usually experience speech problems. So, how can the patient speak normally? Check out the following reviews about speech therapy that cleft lip patients should undergo.

The effect of cleft lip on the patient's speaking ability

Cleft lip, also known as cleft lip, is a condition that describes the presence of a gap between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity.

This condition occurs due to the imperfection of the process of fusing the mouth and palate while in the womb.

Cleft lip patients really need a doctor's care, such as surgical procedures and speech therapy.

The reason is, cleft lip patients are not only having difficulty eating. They also have difficulty speaking properly.

This happens because speaking skills require cooperation between the nasal cavity and the oral cavity.

The formation of gaps in the oral cavity and nasal cavity makes the flow of air in the nose abnormal. As a result, the sound produced was nasal.

This condition causes the cleft lip patient to have difficulty pronouncing consonants, such as the letters B, D, G, and K. The sound that comes out is not heard clearly.

Procedures to be done before speech therapy

Improving the speaking ability of cleft lip patients is not only done with speech therapy. Prior to that, the patient must first undergo cleft lip fusion surgery.

Lieutenant Colonel. Ckm. dr. Denny Irwansyah, SpBP-RE, a plastic and reconstructive surgery specialist, as well as Chair of the Community Service Division of the Association of Plastic Surgeons (PERAPI), shared his opinion when met by the Hello Sehat Team at Hotel Mercure Cikini, Jakarta, Monday (14/5).

"Surgery is the most important medical procedure to unite the cleft lip. With surgery, not only restores facial anatomy to near normal, but also improves speech, eating and psychological functions of children and their families, ”explained dr. Denny Irwansyah.

Even though it aims to unify the cleft lip, the type of surgery given can vary.

The reason is, this condition could be not only a cleft lip, but also a cleft sky. Patients with this condition are quite severe and require several operations.

After the cleft lip and cleft fusion surgery was over, then they could continue with speech therapy.

Stages of speech therapy for cleft lip patients

Speech therapy is needed by children with cleft lip or cleft lip.

This therapy will help them pronounce various words that are used in everyday life to communicate and train children to regulate their breathing while speaking.

Speech therapy is highly recommended for children aged 18 months to 5 years. The reason is, at that age the child's speech ability is developing so that it is easier to repair.

Here are some stages of speech therapy that cleft lip patients need to undergo, including:

Determination of the time to start speech therapy

After surgery, usually the voice changes will continue to occur within 6 weeks. However, speech therapy in cleft lip patients can be done earlier, which is 2 weeks postoperatively.

However, it is necessary to remember to pay attention to the condition of the child, whether healthy or not. Also make sure you get the approval of the surgeon.

What children learn when doing speech therapy

Improve the patient's speaking ability, should not be done carelessly. For that, patients really need the help of a therapist.

The exercises received during speech therapy will also be adjusted according to the patient's age. Various things learned by cleft lip patients who take speech therapy, include:

• Develop articulation skills
• Learn expressive language skills
• Improve the pronunciation of various consonants
• Improve vocabulary

Additional therapy

In addition to attending speech therapy with expert therapists, parents also play a role in the development of children's speech skills.

Parents are expected to encourage children to practice and familiarize themselves with speaking exercises that have been learned by applying them at home.

Monitoring the development of health and improving children's speech skills are also points that need to be considered by parents.

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