Which condition is commonly associated with speech impairments?

Cleft palate is often associated with speech impairments because it affects the structure of the mouth and the way sounds are produced. A cleft palate occurs when there is an opening or gap in the roof of the mouth, which can significantly impact a child's ability to articulate sounds correctly. Speech involves precise adjustments of the airflow, and any structural issues can lead to difficulties with pronunciation, resonance, and overall intelligibility. Children with cleft palates often benefit from specialized speech therapy to address these challenges and improve their communication skills.

While developmental delay, hearing loss, and ESL learners may also face speech challenges, cleft palate directly relates to physical abnormalities that prevent proper speech production, making it a key condition associated with speech impairments.