Natalia Salazar, a 9 year old from Argentina. She has repeated second grade twice and is under observation in grade 3. Her teacher has undermined Natalia’s confidence. Some teachers incorrectly believe that children with speech difficulties as a result of cleft are intellectually delayed. Fundacion Gavina’s social worker has been trying to locate a special teacher through the local education system.
Her mom says that Natalia could not continue her speech sessions because every time she needed to get an appointment, she had to stay overnight at the children’s hospital to obtain one of the 10 spaces available to the public. However, now at Gavina she can set an appointment during one of the two days when speech treatment is provided.