Oral Reading Problems in Students with Cleft Palate, Grades 6-8.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence of oral reading problems in Thai language skills and types of oral reading based on articulation errors in students with cleft palate, Grades 6 to 8. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty students with cleft palate, Grade 6 to 8 in Northeast Thailand, were recruited for the study. Each student read a standard oral reading passage, based on The Basic Education Commission of Thailand, which consists of basic words in curriculum of Thai language for Grade 4 to 6. Oral reading scores were calculated based on criteria of The Basic Education Commission of Thailand. RESULTS: The research findings found that prevalence of oral reading problem in students with cleft palate, Grade 6 to 8 was 16.67%; cluster was the most common problem in oral reading based on Thai language skills, followed by spelling errors, omission, repetition, missed punctuation, non-fluent reading, and addition. Oral reading types based on articulation errors were substitution 65.37%, omission 23.40%, distortion 2.25%, and addition 1.42%. CONCLUSION: Students with cleft palate, Grade 6 to 8 were at risk of oral reading and early intervention was needed.