Perceptual Assessment of Cleft Palate Speech—Bridging the Gap From Research to Clinical Practice—the Swedish Perspective

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this tutorial is to describe an evidence-based scientifically sustainable perceptual assessment of cleft palate speech and how standardized assessment methods for research on cleft palate speech have been implemented in clinical practice in Sweden, which makes it possible to carry out research on clinical data.Method:This tutorial is based on a literature review and own research on how to perform a valid and reliable perceptual cleft palate speech assessment and the description of clinical practice in Sweden. Perceptual speech assessment of cleft palate speech is discussed in terms of speech material, documentation, perceptual speech analysis, speech outcome measures, cross-linguistic comparisons, calculation of reliability, interpretation of results, and subject selection. We also describe the conditions that have made it possible to integrate research and clinic in cleft palate speech-language pathology in Sweden.Conclusions:Knowledge acquired from national and international research has had a great impact on the development of cleft palate speech assessment procedures in Sweden and has contributed to standardized evaluation of treatment results. This has enabled open comparisons of treatment results from the different Swedish cleft lip and palate (CLP) centers to provide a basis for improved CLP care.