Cleft lip and palate: the care team and speech therapy, per NIDCR and CDC
NIDCR says a child with cleft lip or palate “is often referred to a team of experts” that may include a speech pathologist and an audiologist, and both NIDCR and CDC say some children may need speech therapy. This page quotes NIDCR and CDC only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Sources read on November 12, 2026: NIDCR’s Cleft Lip and Palate page (last reviewed December 2024) and CDC’s Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate page (updated January 8, 2026).
Speech, feeding, and hearing
NIDCR states: “Children with a cleft lip or a cleft palate, depending on the size of the openings, may have problems eating and breathing. As they grow older, they may also have speech and language delays. Children with cleft lip or palate are also more likely to have ear infections, hearing loss, and problems with their teeth.”
The team (NIDCR)
NIDCR states: “A child with cleft lip or palate is often referred to a team of experts that may include an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor), plastic surgeon, oral surgeon, speech pathologist, pediatric dentist, orthodontist, audiologist, pediatrician, nutritionist, and psychologist/social worker.” And: “If there are other problems as they get older, a child may need additional surgeries, dental and orthodontic care, and speech therapy.”
Among its tips: “Ask for advice, especially if your baby has problems nursing or drinking from a bottle. There are many ways to overcome feeding challenges.”
CDC
CDC states: “Surgical repair can help restore function to the lips and mouth. It may help improve breathing, hearing, and speech and language development. Children born with orofacial clefts may also need special dental or orthodontic care or speech therapy.”
Early services for infants are on early intervention, and pediatric feeding on swallowing disorders.
What this page does not do
It does not repeat surgery timing, causes, or prevalence figures from either page. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, or product. Scope of practice for each profession is set by state law; check your state board.