Production of Early Words in Tamil Speaking Children with Repaired Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the onset of true meaningful words in Tamil speaking children with repaired cleft lip and palate. The early true meaningful words are described based on the syllable structure, word category and initial speech sound. Fourteen children with non-syndromic repaired cleft lip and palate (both lip and palate operated before one year of age) and seven typically developing children along with their mothers participated in this study. Children were followed up every month from the age of 10 to 12 months till the onset of verbalisation (defined as the production of at least one true meaningful word). Speech and language sample of the child interacting with their respective mothers during free play session was video recorded once in 25 to 30 days. The sample that marked the onset of verbalisation was transcribed and the true meaningful words produced by the children were listed and analysed. Children with cleft produced true meaningful words by the median age of 17 months, while typically developing children produced them at 13 months of age. The number of true meaningful words produced by children with cleft was significantly less than their typically developing peers. There was lot of variability in the production of early words. The similarities and differences of early words produced with respect to syllable structure, word category, and initial speech sound have been discussed. The results highlight the need for early intervention in children with cleft.