Understanding Language Outcomes in Cleft (UnLOC) is a programme of research that seeks to understand the factors that influence language development and outcomes in people born with cleft lip and/or palate across the lifespan. Building on findings from the Cleft Language and Auditory Skills (CLAS) study, which identified high rates of language and auditory processing difficulties in school-aged children with cleft and demonstrated important relationships between language, listening skills and speech outcomes.

Findings from the CLAS study are available open access here:

van Eeden, S., McKean, C. & Stringer, H. (2025) Rethinking speech sound disorder (SSD) in non-syndromic cleft lip and palate: The importance of recognizing phonological and language difficulties. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 60, e13151. https://doi-org.libproxy.ncl.ac.uk/10.1111/1460-6984.13151