An Innovative Collaborative Treatment Model: The Community-Based Speech-Language Pathologist and Cleft Palate Team

Abstract

Problem Children with cleft-related articulation disorders receive ineffectual or inappropriate speech therapy locally due to lack of training and a disconnect between the team and local speech-language pathologists. Solution A collaborative care program that is billable for the team allows the local speech-language pathologist to earn continuing education units and facilitates effective local speech therapy. This program is the first of its kind, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Continuing Education Board for Speech Pathology.