Speech processing in children born with cleft palate (1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Speech processing and its relationship to speech articulation in children born with a cleft palate at age 5 years.
IRAS ID
211075
Contact name
Lucy Southby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Children born with cleft palate are at high risk of developing disordered patterns of speech sound production which are known as Cleft Speech Characteristics (CSCs). When these patterns continue to be present beyond the age of 5 years, it is known as Persistent Speech Disorder (PSD) which is associated with an increased risk of poor life outcomes.
These children could be at greater risk of PSD because of poor speech processing. Speech processing is the term used to describe the cognitive activity which takes place in the brain when a child hears or produces a word. Speech processing skills include identifying words which rhyme or start with the same sound.Relationships between speech processing, CSCs and their resolution are not well understood and speech processing abilities are not currently examined as part of routine cleft care in the UK.
This study aims to understand whether difficulties with speech processing may be associated with PSD in some children born with a cleft palate. This will inform the clinical management of these children by Speech and Language Therapists. Families with children born with cleft palate will be invited to participate in the study when their child is 5 years of age. Assessments of speech processing will be completed with participating children and information regarding other factors which can impact on speech development will also be collected in addition to their routine speech outcome data held by the cleft team.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0071
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion