Cleft lip and palate is the medical term for a congenital cleft in the lip, jaw and/or palate. The condition varies from child to child, so treatment can also differ from child to child. Cleft lip and palate treatment is often a long and complex process.

What do we do via Ghent University research?

In a soundproof room at the University Hospital in Ghent, something special is happening. This is where Project SMILE begins: an ambitious, scientifically grounded initiative designed to help children with a cleft palate speak more clearly and confidently. We are developing and testing a high-intensity form of speech therapy—shorter, more powerful, and more targeted than the traditional years-long approach. By systematically evaluating this new method through scientific research, we aim not only to improve speech but also the overall quality of life for these children. Because speaking is not just a skill—it’s confidence, connection, and future opportunity.

Who with?

We are not doing this alone. This project is the result of a warm collaboration between Ghent University and KU Leuven, where researchers and clinicians work side by side with speech therapists in the field. We work closely with the Flemish Association of Speech Therapists (VVL) to ensure translation into practice and to engage the wider speech therapy community. SIG vzw, the Flemish center of expertise on inclusion, plays a crucial role in making information accessible for parents, teachers, and care professionals. Alongside the patient association VAGA vzw and policymakers, we are building a network that connects science, clinical practice, and inclusive support. Each of these partners contributes their unique expertise and perspective. Together, we bridge the gap between research, everyday practice, and the real lives of children.

What do they learn and gain?

For speech therapists, this is a unique opportunity. They are introduced to a new way of working—more intensive, but also more effective. They gain access to scientific evidence that strengthens their daily practice. For parents, this offers hope: therapy that takes less time but delivers greater results. And for children, it means much more than therapy—it means being understood at school more quickly, experiencing less frustration, and speaking without shame. For policymakers, it opens the door to more efficient, cost-effective, and evidence-based models of care.

What difference does this make?

The impact is tangible. Children who previously spent years in therapy now make progress more quickly. The sessions are more intense, but shorter in duration. Parents feel less burdened and more involved. Speech therapists feel empowered in their approach. And for the first time, policymakers have solid data that supports a different way of funding and organizing care. The puzzle pieces are falling into place.

What do they do differently?

After Project SMILE, therapists enter their sessions with greater confidence, equipped with new methods and materials, such as accessible videos for parents and children. Parents feel like partners rather than bystanders. Teachers recognize the needs of these children more quickly and respond with greater empathy. And in academic and policy discussions, high-intensity therapy is now seen as the standard—not the exception.

Project SMILE is not a temporary intervention. It is a catalyst for lasting change—in the lives of children, in the daily practice of therapists, and in the way we think about accessible and effective care.