Teachers can be great allies in keeping your child with cleft lip and palate safe and successful in school, but you'll need to make sure they have all the knowledge they need to help. Use these suggestions to create an information packet to bring educators up to speed.
Five Things Teachers Need to Know
1. My child may have some problems with hearing related to her condition. Please consider this when you feel she is not paying attention or not responding appropriately.
2. My child may have to spend some time away from the classroom for medical procedures. Please work with me to make sure he keeps up with his studies.
3. It's okay to let my child's classmates know about her differences as long as it is done in an appropriate way. I'd be happy to help prepare a program.
4. My child is an individual, not a diagnosis. Please be alert and receptive to the things that make him unique and special.
5. Please keep the lines of communication open between our home and the school. My child needs all the adults in her life working together.
Printouts to Share with Teachers
Letter to a Teacher
Source: Cleft Palate Foundation
Oral Facial Clefts (pdf)
Source: Maine Department of Education
FAQ: Questions About School and Teachers
Source: Cleft Lip and Palate Association
Cleft Lip and Palate Handout for Teachers (pdf)
Source: Cleft Lip & Palate Association of Ireland
Hearing and Behavior in the Child With Cleft Palate
Source: Prescription Parents
