Type of reading disability related to cleft type and neuropsychological patterns.

Two groups of cleft palate subtypes (cleft lip and palate and cleft palate only) with reading disability, matched for intelligence, age, sex, and reading level, were compared on reading and neuropsychological test variables. Subjects included 14 males and 10 females of each cleft type ranging in age from 8 to 13. Results showed a significant difference between groups on most language measures and differences in reading comprehension and type of reading errors. Results suggest that children with cleft palate only constitute a language-disorder group with more severe reading disabilities. Children with cleft lip and palate are more likely to have verbal expressive deficits and milder reading problems, possibly related to peripheral speech mechanisms.