Development of community-based speech therapy model: for children with cleft lip/palate in northeast Thailand.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment can reduce disfigurement for children born with cleft lip/palate, however, most children are left with speech and language problems. This creates a new problem as speech and language services is limited. OBJECTIVE: To combine the principles of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR), Primary Health Care (PHC) and institutional medical approaches for reaching and treating speech disordered children with cleft lip and/ or palate in remote area. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors conducted the study from participatory workshops for development of a Community-Based Model. RESULTS: Community-Based Speech Therapy Model for children with cleft lip/palate was established based on healthcare system. CONCLUSION: Model can be implemented among children with cleft lip/palate for further process in Northeast and other areas of Thailand as well as developing countries where there is a limitation of speech therapy.