The speech and language status of toddlers with cleft lip and/or palate following early vocabulary intervention

This study examined the effects of a vocabulary intervention for 3 children with cleft lip and/or palate who showed limited consonant inventories and delayed expressive language. In a multiple baseline design across behaviors, a vocabulary intervention was implemented using a milieu model. The treatment produced an increase in vocabulary production that generalized to a conversational language sample in the clinic and home as reported by parents. Phonological variables, including consonant repertoire and syllable structure, were monitored before and after language treatment for all children. Phonological performance improved and did not need to be addressed as a separate goal in intervention.