It's a Privilege to Smile

In this article we describe prior cross-sectional and longitudinal research conducted with children who were born with cleft lip and/or palate and their families in the United States and internationally. The findings and clinical implications from different times and cultures are synthesized using the Biopsychosocial Model. Our primary aim is to summarize the attachment styles, cognitive, psychological and social functioning, self-concept, neurological functioning, and speech difficulties prevalent among individuals who are born with cleft lip/palate at different developmental stages (e.g., infancy, toddler, childhood, adolescence). Additionally, bystander reactions to the speech and appearance of individuals coping with cleft lip and/or palate and its effects on the family are described. Finally we examine the diversity of samples from prior clinical research and provide clinical recommendations for more collaborative family-based practice among medical and mental health providers treating families coping with cleft lip and/or palate.