Intervention and Problem-Solving with VPI: Learning Through Video Analysis

Cleft lip and palate is the second most common birth defect in the United States and it affects 1 in every 940 births (ASHA, n.d.). Despite this incidence, many graduate training programs in speech-language pathology do not provide specific courses to teach assessment and intervention in this population. Clinicians are left to rely on continuing education and/or mentoring to improve their skills. Limited knowledge in this area can lead to inappropriate treatment and/or unnecessary surgery. In 2010, 82% of those surveyed did not feel qualified to treat children with a speech disorder secondary to cleft palate (Baigorri 2020). Thus there is a clear need to make education in this area accessible to speech-language pathologists.

This course is an intermediate to advanced level and assumes that the participant has background knowledge and coursework. The course will briefly review obligatory and compensatory errors and how to determine which are appropriate to address in VPI treatment. It will then discuss development of treatment plans for children who can benefit from therapy to address articulation placement prior to surgical intervention. It will also cover improving oral resonance and articulation post-surgery. Referral to and collaboration with nearby cleft teams is emphasized.

Video analysis is a key learning tool in this course and participants are encouraged to practice analysis along with the speaker.

Following this training, participants will be able to:

1. Discriminate between errors that can be corrected in treatment (compensatory) vs. those that cannot (obligatory)
2. Develop treatment plans for children with structural VPI who are appropriate for pre-surgery therapy
3. Describe a community SLP’s role in collaborating with the cleft team SLP at various points during the child’s care
4. Implement 3 specific treatment techniques for articulation or resonance errors related to VPI

This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.