When a child is born with a cleft lip and/or palate, parents are often left with unanswered questions and a lack of information as to what to do and when to do it. The Cleft Palate Story is a unique and comprehensive book that provides parents with the answers to those questions and helps them to understand and successfully manage the problems associated with their child?s cleft.

Dr. Samuel Berkowitz has designed The Cleft Palate Story to serve as a ?go to? reference for parents of children with clefts as well as a primer for oral and plastic surgeons, orthodontics, speech- language pathologists, audiologists, social workers, geneticists and nurses looking to enhance their understanding. Inside The Cleft Palate Story the different types of clefts, the causes of clefting, and the treatment options are examined. A clear and positive format is used to help parents reduce their anxiety over the unknown but treatable consequences of cleft lip/palate treatment and to prepare them for the examinations, medical and dental procedures, and hospital admissions.

The Cleft Palate Story also explains the various methods used in clinical management, including surgery, orthodontics, and speech and hearing rehabilitative techniques. Additionally, this generously illustrated book includes an impressive appendix of valuable resources including information on insurance, finding support groups, and cleft-related publications and videos available on the market.

Combined with the assistance of parent support groups and trained professionals, The Cleft Palate Story prepares parents for the challenges they will face, to understand the treatment plan developed by the cleft palate team, and details how this condition can be managed to have a successful outcome.