University of Central Florida (UCF) SPA4476 Speech Disorders Across the Lifespan Practice Exam 1

Communication problems associated with clefts primarily impact areas like resonance, articulation, and voice. Individuals with cleft lip and/or palate often experience resonance issues due to the structural differences in their oral and nasal cavities, leading to difficulties in producing sounds that require appropriate airflow and sound quality. Articulation can also be affected, as the formation of speech sounds may be compromised by the cleft's impact on oral structures and function.

Voice can be affected as well, as the quality of the voice may change due to the anatomy and function of the vocal tract and larynx in individuals with clefts. This can lead to hoarseness, breathiness, or other vocal issues.

Fluency, on the other hand, is not typically associated with cleft conditions. While individuals with cleft conditions can experience fluency disorders like stuttering, this is not a direct result of the cleft itself. Rather, fluency issues are generally more related to the cognitive and emotional aspects of speech rather than structural concerns caused by a cleft. This distinguishes fluency from the other areas, making it the least likely communication problem associated with clefts. Thus, fluency stands out as the correct response in the context of this question.