Dentist Reveals Why a Six-Year-Old Couldn't Speak Since Birth - And The Reason Will Surprise You!
Mason was born with a rare condition called 'Sotos Syndrome': Discover what this syndrome is, its implications, and how he recently got a new lease on life thanks to a remarkable dentist.
When six-year-old Mason Munch was born, his parents thought everything was fine until he reached the age when children typically start to speak. "Mason couldn't say a single word in the first five years of his life," recalls his mother Meredith.
Mason was born with a rare syndrome known as 'Sotos Syndrome' - a genetic condition characterized by distinctive facial features, learning disabilities, and childhood overgrowth. "He had developmental issues and delays since birth," explains Meredith. "He had been in speech therapy since he was a year and a half old, and bedtime was always the most stressful time for us. We feared he might stop breathing suddenly because he struggled with basic actions such as eating and swallowing. During every meal, we had to remove different components that could choke him, and he wasn't getting the nutrition he truly needed."
Consequently, over time, dental problems also began to develop, and many dentists had examined him but simply couldn't identify the issue. "We were devastated that no doctor could tell us why Mason couldn't produce complete words and why he couldn't communicate with us properly," says Meredith. "In addition to speech problems, dental issues also arose. It was all just too much."
Then they met Dr. Amy Lederman-Lazar from Texas. "I found there was an attachment under his tongue that prevented Mason from speaking. It wasn't a verbal issue, but a lack of ability to speak due to that attachment, which no one had ever thought to check," said the dentist. According to her, this tie is known as a 'tongue-tie' and essentially connects the underside of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth, thereby limiting its range of motion and making it more difficult.
A non-invasive laser treatment performed by Dr. Lederman-Lazar fixed the issue and changed his life forever. "Within 12 hours, he started speaking, and it was amazing," his mother says excitedly. "He now eats various types of food without choking and behaves much better at school. He no longer snores, no longer experiences sleep apnea, and doesn't suffer from the symptoms he used to endure. We are thrilled."
