Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program
The Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) offers treatment and ongoing care for children diagnosed with velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). VPD causes speech disorders, which can significantly interfere with your child’s ability to communicate effectively.
Our program will give your child a full evaluation in a single visit, starting with a speech pathologist and a plastic surgeon. For the ongoing care plan, we bring together any additional specialists who may be needed to manage every aspect of this condition. These might include audiologists, psychologists, genetic counselors or radiologists.
We know that VPD can cause emotional distress and many challenges. We will help your child cope with any social struggles, such as forming relationships. Through every step, we will be by your family’s side.
Conditions we treat
We treat patients with all forms of VPD. VPD can be caused by a cleft palate, a submucous cleft palate, hypernasality following adenoidectomy, certain genetic syndromes, or simply be present at birth.
Meet your team
Everyone on your child’s team has the same goal: to give your child the best possible care. We provide medical care, emotional support and much more. We make sure your whole family receives the highest level of support.
Our locations
Get information about the velopharyngeal dysfunction care we provide at our Philadelphia hospital.
Our research
CHOP is committed to making research discoveries for children with VPD. We collaborate with the Division of Human Genetics and the 22q and You Center to improve the care of VPD in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.
VPD resources
We have gathered resources to give you information and help you find answers to your questions. We hope this makes your family's life a bit easier.
What to expect at your child's appointment
Patients may be referred to the VPD Program by a variety of specialists. We frequently see children who are directed to our program by a speech pathologist, ENT specialist, geneticist or other clinicians.
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