SMILES

We live in Mexico and our 5 year old son's cleft lip/palate
treatment is being monitored by a team in the States. So far he
doesn't show signs of serious speech problems but the speech
therapist (of the team) said he would probably benefit greatly
from help I can give him at home; specifically with articulation
and resonance. Anyone have any ideas or techniques to recommend?

hello..i am a graduate student in speech pathology at california state university chico. we just did an assignment on therapy ideas. one general idea is to continuously talk with your child using good models of speech. try to always use correct language use. this modeling will be the best way to help your child with language development. a fun idea would be to blow bubbles inside, outside, where ever!! this helps with increasing the output of air from the mouth and not the nose. another fun idea to increase oral air pressure is to blow cotton balls across a slick surface. have a race with your child (of course let him/her win!!) hope these ideas can be of some help...

Vocabulary! Vocabulary! Vocabulary! Read to them as much as possible but don't try and make them speak. It saved me from any speech impediments.