Phonological development in children with cleft lip and palate

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Abstract
This paper presents preliminary results of a longitudinal investigation into the phonological development of children with repaired cleft lip and palate (CLP). The aim of the project is to investigate the extent to which the cleft palate condition affects the nature and chronology of phonological development from 0;10 to 3;6. Recordings are being made of the vocalizations and speech of CLP children at frequent intervals during the first three years of language development. The first recording at 0;10 is immediately prior to surgical repair of the palate. Recordings are then recommenced six weeks post-operatively and made at approximately six-monthly intervals up to 3;6. We report our findings from the study of two children in this paper. Profiles of their phonetic repertoires pre- and post-surgery are presented and compared with those reported for normal children at the same ages. The phonetic and phonological characteristics of their pronunciation patterns at 2;6 and 3;6 are compared with those normally expected at these ages. Also, the phonetic characteristics of their speech are compared with their pre-speech repertoires. We discuss whether the presence of a structural abnormality inhibits and/or disturbs the development of a child's phonological system.

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