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Speech-Language Pathology

What is Speech-Language Pathology?

On Monday, December 12, 2022, Barrow Neurological Institute will transition its Cleft and Craniofacial Center to Phoenix Children’s. Your providers will stay the same, and so will the location. Only the name is changing. We look forward to seeing you at the Phoenix Children’s Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Care.

The Speech-Language Pathology Department at the Barrow Cleft and Craniofacial Center specializes in serving English and Spanish-speaking children and adults with speech and language disorders related to cleft and craniofacial conditions. Our speech-language pathologists also have extensive experience treating:

  • Speech and resonance disorders
  • Velopharyngeal dysfunction
  • Velopharyngeal insufficiency/incompetence (VPI)

Services are offered to patients and families as a part of their comprehensive care with an interdisciplinary team including:

  • Orthodontics
  • Plastic and craniofacial surgery
  • Psychology

The cleft and craniofacial teams at at our center are recognized by the Commission on Approval of Teams through the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.  Our speech-language pathologists offer individualized evaluations that are based on the patient’s diagnosis and needs and developed according to the best evidence based practices. All of our speech professionals have certificates of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association and are active members of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association.  Services are provided in English or Spanish directly and interpreters are utilized for assessment in any other language.

After an initial evaluation, a treatment plan will be established for the patient and will focus on improving skills in the necessary areas of communication and feeding.  Some of the specific areas may include

  • Articulation
  • Feeding
  • Language
  • Resonance
  • Voice

Our department has a relationship with the Department of Speech and Hearing Science in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University. We also participate in clinical research projects focused on outcomes that are meaningful to our patients and also help to contribute to general knowledge.

Feeding an Infant with a Cleft

Speech-Language Pathology Guides

These guides can help you care for your child after cleft lip and cleft palate surgery and also help you with recommended speech activities to implement at home.

Parent Education-Early Speech and Language Development and Recommendations for Children with Cleft Palate