Phonological proficiency of two cleft palate toddlers with school-age follow-up

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the speech-sound production of two children with repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate. Speech samples were obtained during videotaping of spontaneous interactions between the children and their parent(s) when the subjects were between 29 and 37 months of age. Re-evaluation of both language and phonological abilities was accomplished when the children were between 5 and 7 years of age. Based on phonemic transcription of these data, error matrices were prepared illustrating word-initial and word-final consonants produced. Place and manner of consonant production were analyzed and the individual phonological processes employed by each child were discussed. Results indicated individual differences between the subjects in that one subject's emerging phonological system was more characteristic of developmental delay while the other was more characteristic of structural inadequacy. These differences have implication for the management of preschool cleft palate children.