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 speechlanguage 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.