Universal parameters for reporting speech outcomes in individuals with cleft palate

Abstract Objective:To achieve consistency and uniformity in reporting speech outcomes in individuals born with cleft palate with or without cleft lip using perceptual parameters that characterize their speech production behavior regardless of the language or languages spoken. Design:A working group of six individuals experienced in speech and cleft palate was formed to develop a system of universal parameters for reporting speech outcomes in individuals born with cleft palate. The system was adopted in conjunction with a workshop held in Washington, D.C., that was devoted to developing the universal system. The system, which was refined further following the workshop, involves a three-stage plan consisting of (1) evaluation, (2) mapping, and (3) reporting. The current report focuses primarily on the third stage, reporting speech outcomes. Results:A set of five universal speech parameters has been devised for the reporting stage. These consist of (1) hypernasality, (2) hyponasality, (3) audible nasal air e...