Craniofacial

Craniofacial differences include conditions that affect the structure and growth of the skull, face and jaws, such as cleft lip and/or palate, craniosynostosis syndromes and other genetic orofacial conditions. These differences can impact feeding, swallowing, speech, resonance (nasality), hearing, dental development and facial appearance. Many children and young adults with craniofacial conditions require coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team over time, including medical, surgical, dental, audiology and speech pathology support.

At Sound Bites Therapy Services, our speech pathologists have additional training and experience in working with cleft palate and craniofacial conditions. We provide assessment and therapy across feeding, early communication, speech sound development and resonance, always in close collaboration with craniofacial teams, surgeons and other health professionals.

For babies and young children, we may focus on supporting safe, efficient feeding, early sounds, first words and parent–child interaction. As children grow, therapy often targets speech clarity, managing nasal air escape, and building confident communication in social and learning environments.

We work alongside families to explain assessment findings, treatment options and realistic expectations over time, using clear, respectful language. Our goal is to support each person’s communication, participation and quality of life, recognising the medical, emotional and social aspects of living with a craniofacial condition.