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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

SN children

cleft palates.

4 replies

pixiepins · 18/08/2006 16:53

hi i just joined and can only use the computer at my place of work so hopefully there may be some responses to this by monday!
my little boy was born with a cleft palate (soft and slightly into his hard palate). he did have it operated on in December and i just wondered if anyone had any advice on how to encourage new words etc. it's ok all the professionals saying...'oh just try not to worry and keep talking to him' etc etc but I DO WORRY!
thoughts?

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fairyjay · 18/08/2006 17:38

Of course you worry, you're a mum!!
My ds was born with a cleft lip and palate - he's now 14. Just keep talking to him. He needs to experiment with as many different sounds as possible, but also he has to be given confidence in his speech, so that it doesn't become an issue to him. This seems to have worked with my ds - I wish I could shut him up sometimes
Check out with the speech therapists in your area, and ask for a review. You will have to keep nagging!
I'm sure he'll be fine though, and try not to worry too much.

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Bumblelion · 18/08/2006 17:44

Can't offer advice, but my best friend at high school had a hare lip and cleft palate. Being totally honest with you, I never even knew she had this (operated on at a young age) and she had lots of further operations (it was quite bad) and extensive speech therapy, but when I met her her speech was fine. I was always jealous of her because she was a tall leggy blonde (whereas I was the short dumpy brunette).

I know you are not asking for the physical acceptance side of things but just thought I would give you my memories.

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chatee · 19/08/2006 13:33

hiya,
i was born with a cleft palate and can remember having speech therapy when i was a little child about 5 years old(mum still teases me now about how i used to say red and yellow and christopher).
i have no problems now at all...
ps: can't remember my mum doing anything special for me to encourage me when i was little
have you heard about CLAPA?? Cleft Lip and Palate Assoc.??
might be some helpful advice or a message board or someone local to help you on there..
Good luck

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pixiepins · 23/08/2006 09:35

thanks for the thoughts.
sometimes you just need to hear positive things from someone new!
Leon is seeing a speech therapist and she said he was only 4 months behind so that's good. the next hurdle is ensuring his hearing is ok...he did say 'gee tar' the other day 'guitar' so we were well pleased!
but like fairyjay says...you do have to nag and nag for these things! it's bad really!