Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the current status and affecting factors of speech therapy for cleft palate patients in China. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to speech therapists in 42 facilities from 28 provinces in China, regarding the setup, equipment and establishment time of speech clinic, patient number, the experience and qualification of the therapists, the charge for each session, and the course of therapy. RESULTS: All 42 facilities had surgical wards for cleft patients, but only 36 had speech clinics, 75% of which were established less than 5 years. The patient number was less than 10 patients per week in average. The equipment was poorer and the charge for each session was low. The course of therapy was less than 20 times. About two thirds of the speech therapists came from nurses, others were part-time therapists by surgeons. The main training method was short-term fellowship. Considering the basic conditions of China as a developing country, the affecting factors were the lack of awareness of the importance of speech therapy, lack of regulations and qualifications for speech therapists, long course of therapy, and high additional costs. CONCLUSIONS: Speech therapy for cleft patients started late in China, with no departments of speech pathology, systematic training program and professional degrees, and lack of professional equipment and follow-up. More attention and investment are needed to promote normative and rapid development of speech therapy in China.

Key words: Speech therapy, Post-palatoplasty, Speech pathology