Rebecca’s Story
Rebecca got in touch with CLAPA to share her experience of growing up with a cleft palate, which was undiagnosed until she was 3 years old.
I am just about to turn 22 but it’s never to late to share and inspire.
I was born with a cleft palate but my cleft was not discovered until I was 3 years old. My parents went through so many measures to try to find out why I wasn’t feeding the same as my two sisters had. They took me to the doctors and child psychiatrist amongst other things.
The early conclusion was that I was autistic, a diagnosis which lasted for a good few months, but then my parents took me to see another therapist. What was discovered then was that I had a cleft. I didn’t have autism at all. After that, I was finally treated for my cleft palate with surgery at 3 years old (a little later than others but better late than never.)
The early conclusion was that I was autistic, a diagnosis which lasted for a good few months, but then my parents took me to see another therapist. What was discovered then was that I had a cleft. I didn’t have autism at all.
Growing up I was referred to speech therapy and audiology appointments over the years. I ended up needing four or five years of braces too, and had maxilliofacial surgery (which wasn’t for my cleft palate). All through this time I had lots of support from CLAPA, my speech therapists and my family. I have never been happier with my speech and have recently been signed off from speech therapy and orthodontics. I can’t thank this charity enough for their support and help!
Thanks so much to Rebecca for getting in touch. If you’d like to share your story you can share it here through our website.
Are you an adult in the UK, born with a cleft? Find out more about our new Adult Services Project:
