Abstract: Children with cleft of lip and palate (CLP) are reported with both speech and language disorders. Several studies have been done to investigate the salient feature of speech in children with CLP. However the studies focussing on assessing the language parameter using standardised test battery is limited in Indian context. In lieu of this the current study aimed at assessing children with repaired cleft of lip and palate (RCLP) who have not accessed speech language rehabilitation post surgery using a standardised language assessment material viz., Kannada Language Test (KLT). Twenty children with RCLP were grouped based on age into 3 to 4 year old group and 4 to 5 year old group. Twenty age matched typically developing children were also selected for comparison. KLT was administered on each child and scores obtained were analysed with appropriate statistical measures. The results revealed that children in RCLP had poor language scores compared to TDC. There was a developmental trend noted in the language scores as in both RCLP and TDC groups. There was also a significant difference in language scores noted between RCLP and TDC in the 3 to 4 year age group. However the same was not noted in the 4 to 5 year old group. Further the receptive skills were found to be better than the expressive scores. The reasons for such findings in relation to Indian context are discussed.
Keywords: Repaired cleft of lip and palate, Kannada Language, Kannada Language Test.
Title: Language Skills in 3 To 5 Year Old Children with Repaired Cleft of Lip and Palate
Author: Deepthi K.J., Pushpavathi M.
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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