Psychosocial Effects of an Intensive Summer Communication Program for Cleft Palate Children John E. Lochman, Ph.D. Duke University Medical Center Sara M. Haynes, M.S., CCC-SP The University of Texas at Dallas, Callier Center of Communication Disorders Elizabeth Gosset Dobson, M.S., CCC-SP Part Cities Speech, Hearing and Language Clinc ABSTRACT: The preventative psychosocial effects of an intensive summer residential program for children with communication disorders related to cleft lip and palate are evaluated. Twelve children completed the five-week program. Following the program, the children increased their social interaction rates during observed interactions with nonhandicapped peers and according to parent ratings. Less difference existed between the children's perceived reinforcement value of peer interactions, and their expectancies for initiating such interactions. The limitations of these findings due to the small sample size and the lack of a control group are discussed. The value of multimethod measurement systems are also discussed. Children with cleft lip and palate do not appear to have more severe psychopathology than children with other physical handicaps or other children who are free of physical handicaps. 1,2 However, generally consistent research findings suggest that cleft palate children develop behavioral patterns of passivity and inhibition. 1,3These characteristics apparently begin to develop early in life and continue at least through adolescence. In infancy, children with cleft lip and palate have been found to be more pasive and less responsive to others than the norm sample of a developmental test.' By late adolescence, individuals with cleft lip and palate have been described as reluctant to meet people and enter new situations, and as "observers rather than active participants" in social encounters? In the interpersonal relationships that cleft children do have, they Portions of this paper were presented at the Texas Speech and Hearing Association Annual Convention, 1979. This program was supported by a grant from the Junior Leauge of Dallas. Send requests for reprints to John E. Lochman, Ph.D., Division of Medical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Box 2906, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, Vol 12(1), Fall 1981 54 0009-398X/81/1500-0054500.95 9 Human Sciences Press