Pediatric Therapy for Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate in Buford, GA
If your child is facing the challenges associated with cleft lip or cleft palate, it can feel overwhelming, especially when these conditions impact their ability to speak or eat. Whether your child is recovering from surgery to correct their cleft lip or palate, or they still have the condition, we can help them overcome speech or feeding challenges they may be facing.
Our experts at TLC Therapy Services can address the unique challenges of cleft lip and cleft palate, from feeding difficulties to speech development. We take a personalized approach to every child’s care and focus on building their communication skills and confidence in a supportive and fun setting.
What Are Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are conditions that mean a baby’s upper lip or the roof of their mouth (palate) didn’t develop fully when they were in the womb. This leaves a cleft, or an opening or split.
A cleft lip affects the upper lip, while a cleft palate affects the roof of the mouth. These conditions can occur individually or together and may lead to difficulties with feeding, speech, and overall development.
Common Symptoms of Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate
Children with cleft lip or cleft palate may experience different challenges depending on the severity of their condition. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Difficulty feeding as an infant
- Nasal-sounding or unclear speech
- Difficulty making certain speech sounds
- Frequent ear infections or hearing problems
- Dental issues related to tooth alignment or growth
What Causes Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate happen when the tissues in the mouth don’t fuse together properly during development in the womb. In most cases, we don’t know exactly why this happens. But there are certain risk factors that can increase a baby’s chance of developing a cleft lip or cleft palate, including family history and taking certain medications or drugs during pregnancy.
How Our Pediatric Therapists Can Treat Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate
At TLC Therapy Services, we take a collaborative approach to treating children with cleft lip and cleft palate. Our skilled speech therapists work together as part of your child’s care team to address their unique needs.
We utilize evidence-based techniques to help children master specific sounds, improve their oral strength, and navigate feeding challenges. Our team also works closely with families to provide ongoing guidance and support so you feel empowered to help your child succeed at home and beyond.
Schedule an Evaluation Today
If your child has a cleft lip or cleft palate, or if they’re recovering from corrective surgery for either of these conditions, our experienced team at TLC Therapy Services is here to help.
Call us at (770) 696-6649 to schedule an evaluation today and find out how pediatric speech therapy can give your child the tools they need for a lifetime of success.