| Description |
Children with speech and resonance disorders due to cleft plate or other causes of velopharyngeal dysfunction present challenges for speech-language pathologists (SLPs), otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, and other craniofacial specialists. This seminar is designed to provide current, practical information for professionals who treat individuals with cleft palate, velopharyngeal dysfunction, oropharyngeal anomalies, or other abnormalities that affect speech and/or resonance. Those professionals who serve on a craniofacial team will find this seminar to be particularly valuable.
This seminar will begin with discussion of the early feeding issues that can occur secondary to structural anomalies. The psychological ramifications of speech and facial differences will be described. A description of various craniofacial syndromes will be given. There will be a review of relevant anatomy and physiology and a description of the various types of clefts. The effects of abnormal structures on speech and resonance will be described and demonstrated. The mechanism for normal resonance will be discussed, and resonance disorder (hypernasality, hyponasality, cul-de-sac resonance, and mixed resonance) will be described and demonstrated. Normal velopharyngeal function will be thoroughly explained and the types and causes of velopharyngeal dysfunction will be discussed. The first day will end with a discussion of the effects of velopharyngeal dysfunction on speech.
The second day of the seminar will be devoted to evaluation and treatment. Procedures for completing the perceptual evaluation will be given. Low-tech and “no-tech” evaluation procedures will be demonstrated. Methods for conducting an effective intraoral examination will be shown. Instrumental assessment procedures will be discussed, and participants will be given the opportunity to receive hands-on experience with nasometry and performing a nasopharyngoscopy evaluation. Various options for surgical correction of VPI will be described. Specific therapy techniques for this population (that will also apply to other children with speech sound disorders) will be described and demonstrated. Finally, challenging cases will be presented so that participants will be able to test their skills. This seminar is designed to be informative, very practical, and fun!
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