Parents and teachers: differing views of behavior of cleft palate children.

This study compared mothers', fathers' and teachers' perceptions of behavior of 136 cleft lip and palate children between the ages of 7 and 12. The comparisons were made on the behavioral dimensions of inhibition and acting out. The results indicate that teachers view cleft males and females as significantly more inhibited in the classroom than parents observe at home. The parents are in agreement and differ from the teachers in that they do not view their cleft children as excessively inhibited. Differential expectations at home and school may contribute to the different perceptions of behavior in those environments.