Speech Therapist Toronto: Helping Children with Cleft Palate Speak Clearly
Cleft palate causes a gap in the top part of the mouth. It is caused by the incomplete joining of the roof of the mouth, called palates, before a child is born. It is common for children with cleft palates to also have a cleft lip. Most children born with these conditions get them physically corrected through surgery early on. However, despite this, kids with this condition can still have problems with their speech, says a speech therapist Toronto.
How Cleft Palate Affects Speech Therapist Toronto
A gap in the roof of the mouth can prevent children from creating clear sounds in speech. It allows air to get out through the nose. Hence, resulting in speech sounds that sound nasal or unclear. For some kids, trouble comes when trying to say “p,” “b,” or “t.” As a result, children may start to speak in a way that is difficult for others to hear or understand.
Delays You Might Notice Speech Therapist Toronto
Children with cleft palates can start speaking at a later age than normal. Similarly, people can have a hard time hearing or understanding what they say. Because of this, they become frustrated and find it hard to communicate. Sometimes, as a result, they become shy and struggle to speak with other people, explains a speech therapist Toronto. If a child has a cleft palate, you may find that they babble very little, their words do not sound clear, or they communicate using gestures more.
How Speech Therapy Helps
Speech therapy helps kids to speak with better clarity. A speech therapist Toronto works to improve speech by helping kids arrange their tongue and mouth the right way. Additionally, children are taught to use the right breathing and speech volume. Moreover, kids start with sessions as early as possible and regularly have them over time. However, because no two children are the same, a speech therapist Toronto may advise different sessions or exercises based on progress and specific issues. A lot of progress can be seen in children who participate in speech therapy consistently, over time.
What Parents Can Do Speech Therapist Toronto
Parents have an important role when their children are learning to speak better. First, keep talking to your child in a clear way and on a regular basis. Parents should also sing, read books, and play games using sounds as part of their child’s speech progress. They can also apply the therapist’s suggestions during home activities. It is important to keep in mind the importance of making practice fun and stress-free. This encourages your child to try to speak better, not just because they speak perfectly. These actions help kids feel more sure of themselves and learn how to express themselves better.
Why Early Help Matters Speech Therapist Toronto
Early care usually leads to better results for kids. Starting therapy early allows kids to develop better language skills and do well at school. With time, patient support from families and therapists, your child will get better at communicating. Here at Speech Link, we advocate for kids to be able to express themselves freely to the world. Hence, we ensure that all our experienced and professional Speech-Language Pathologists are able to help each child well. Schedule your consultation and assessment today to get started.