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A parent-led programme to support school-age children with cleft lip and palate in Malaysia
What is it about?
Children born with cleft lip and/or palate often face teasing, speech difficulties, and social challenges at school. In Malaysia, access to speech therapy and psychosocial support is limited, and many families are unsure how to help their children cope. We developed Module Klefiden, a structured set of 14 home-based activities that parents can use to help their children build confidence, manage teasing, and communicate more effectively. The module was developed with input from speech therapists, parents, teachers, and counsellors, and was tested with Malaysian school-age children. Children who completed the programme showed improvements in psychological well-being and reduced speech-related stress. Parents found the activities practical and acceptable. While the results are preliminary and based on a small sample, this study suggests that parent-led programmes can play a meaningful role in supporting children with cleft lip and palate, particularly in settings where professional services are difficult to access.
Why is it important?
Few programmes directly equip children with cleft lip and palate with strategies to handle teasing and social challenges. Module Klefiden is one of the first parent-led interventions designed for this purpose in Malaysia, where access to speech therapy and formal support is limited. Using a strength-based approach, it shifts support to the home, offering families a practical way to build their children's resilience and communication skills.