An overview of speech-language therapy services for children with cleft lip and/or palate from birth to three years within the KwaZulu-Natal health sector.
| dc.contributor.advisor | Karrim, Saira. | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Pahl, Jennifer Ann. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Chetty, Marlene. | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2012-05-29T12:14:07Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2012-05-29T12:14:07Z | |
| dc.date.created | 2011 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2011 | |
| dc.description | Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011. | en |
| dc.description.abstract | A descriptive survey with 19 Speech-Language Therapists from public health and four from private health was used to obtain an overview of Speech-Language Therapy services for children with cleft lip and/or palate from birth to three years in the KwaZulu-Natal Health Sector. Results are presented for public health, as none of the four private based respondents worked with cleft lip and/or palate from birth to three years. The number of Speech-Language Therapists (9) working with cleft lip and/or palate (0-3 years) in KwaZulu-Natal appears not to have changed significantly over the past two to three years, similar to the incidence of cleft lip and/or palate births. Reasons for Speech-Language Therapists not working with this population included poor referrals and caseloads comprising of clients older than three years. A team approach to cleft care appears challenging but showing development. There are currently four institutions where professionals function as multidisciplinary teams, consisting mainly of Speech-Language Therapists, doctors and nurses. Speech-Language Therapists’ assessments include case history taking, oral peripheral examination, observational feeding assessment and speech-language assessment. Most therapists are consulted within a few days of the birth, which is consistent with international guidelines. Audiological assessment and assessment of resonance were mentioned by a minority of participants. Feeding devices for cleft lip and/or palate are not always available immediately, and hence appears contradictory to the National Rehabilitation Policy. Recommendations include undertaking similar research in other provinces, so as to build a nationwide overview of services for South African children with cleft lip and/or palate. | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10413/5371 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en |
| dc.subject | Speech therapists--KwaZulu-Natal. | en |
| dc.subject | Cleft lip--Complications. | en |
| dc.subject | Cleft palate--Complications. | en |
| dc.subject | Speech disorders in children. | en |
| dc.subject | Theses--Speech-language pathology. | en |
| dc.title | An overview of speech-language therapy services for children with cleft lip and/or palate from birth to three years within the KwaZulu-Natal health sector. | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |