Dentist Trip Turns Nonverbal Child Into One Communicating With Peer Group
Written by SAPL on October 4th, 2018 in Communication.
When looking for a solution, there may be more than one possible answer.
Such was the case when a non-verbal child was discovered to have a dental issue that prevented him from speaking.
After a surgery, his verbal skills improved from a one-year-old to a child similar to his four years of age.
The issue was with a part of his mouth known as the lingual frenulum, a group of tissues underneath the tongue. A 10-minute laser procedure allowed the child’s tongue to move more freely, enabling him to talk at age level and he is expected to communicate at a level similar to his peers by the time he reaches his teens.
While no diagnosis of autism was mentioned at the New York Times article, there were several disorders that were thought to contribute to his issue, including a brain aneurysm as a toddler and Sotos syndrome, responsible for learning and developmental delays.
What can be taken from this story?
Mostly that parents (and anyone else involved in a child with a developmental disorder) should leave no avenue unturned when looking for solutions. Years of treatment couldn’t get to the bottom of what a 10-minute procedure solved almost overnight.
This isn’t to say that a child’s communication issues can be solved so simply. That statement would most likely offend any parent who has undergone years of therapy with their child to improve these delays. But it is certainly a thought to take away with.
The professional may not always be right. And there could be underlying causes that have been overlooked. Don’t be afraid to explore solutions to a child’s communication, behavioral, learning and other stumbling blocks. That mom’s group you meet with every week could have the right “expert” present to give you exactly the advice you need.
