Perceptual assessment of cleft speech is at the core of speech methodology in the field of Cleft Lip and Palate. It is the gold standard in providing outcome data for clinical assessment and research to support evidence-based practice in the field. Although there is yet no single internationally and standardized approach, there is a range of specified and internationally agreed upon articulation and non-articulation parameters in cleft palate speech and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Accurate and valid assessment of speech in individuals with a cleft condition also requires a clinical tool that adheres not only to international guidelines but also to the phonetics and the phonology of the spoken language being assessed. A group of speech therapists in the field has developed the Cantonese-Cleft Speech Assessment Tool (C-CSAT: Yiu, Chan, Choi, Pereira., 2019) for this purpose.
In this seminar, participants will be introduced to Cleft Lip and Palate, primary surgery of lip and palate, the range of speech parameters in the assessment of cleft palate speech and/or VPI and surgical management of VPI. Participants will be orientated to the clinical tool and have practice undertaking ratings and transcription of cleft palate speech using the tool and with case studies.