For most parents, the moment a child begins to talk is a milestone filled with excitement and joy. But for Meredith Motz, watching her 6-year-old son Mason struggle to speak was a source of heartbreak. Mason had spent the first five years of his life largely nonverbal, unable to form words despite intensive efforts by his parents and speech therapists.
Mason was born with Sotos syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by overgrowth in childhood, distinct facial features, and developmental delays. “Since birth, he’s had delays and issues,” Meredith explained. Over the years, Mason’s inability to communicate left him frustrated and his parents worried about his future.
Mason also faced additional health challenges. Feeding was difficult, and sleep was often interrupted due to breathing problems. “He had trouble eating and swallowing; every meal, we had to make sure nothing choked him. He wasn’t getting proper nutrition, and his teeth started having problems,” Meredith shared.
Despite trying multiple dentists, none seemed equipped to handle a child with special needs. That changed when Mason visited Dr. Amy Luedemann-Lazar at Kidstown Dental in Katy, Texas. While Mason was sedated for a routine dental procedure, Dr. Luedemann-Lazar discovered the root of his speech struggles: a tongue-tie.
“A tongue-tie was preventing him from speaking. Mason wasn’t nonverbal; he just couldn’t form words because of this tight band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of his mouth,” she explained. Tongue-ties can restrict tongue movement and lead to speech difficulties, feeding problems, and even sleep issues.
The solution was a simple, non-invasive laser procedure called Waterlase, performed in April 2017. The results were astonishing. Within 12 hours, Mason began speaking. “It was like night and day. He no longer chokes on food, sleeps better, and can finally express himself,” Meredith said.
Dr. Luedemann-Lazar encourages parents to trust their instincts if their child struggles with eating, sleeping, or speech, as tongue-ties can often go unnoticed for years.
Today, Mason continues speech therapy but is now able to communicate freely, asking questions and sharing his thoughts. “It’s like, ‘Oh my goodness, who are you?’” Meredith laughs. Thanks to a dentist’s careful attention, Mason finally has the voice he deserved all along.
