The power of the spoken word — a skill which can be taken for granted as a baby moves from its first babblings into the saucy talk of a teen-ager. Melanie Potock knows this process is not always smooth or automatic. Helping children improve articulation and oral motor skills is her specialty.

According to Melanie, "Learning to talk and produce all the sounds in a language is a developmental process known as articulation. Words are formed when the vocal cords, tongue, jaw, teeth, lips and palate change the stream of air that is produced by the respiratory system. It’s complicated and often difficult to master. Children have an articulation disorder when they produce words atypically when compared with other children of the same age."

The chart shows the typical ages children master various consonant sounds in English. By age 8, all English language sounds should be mastered.

* Modified from "When are Speech Sounds Learned," by E.R. Sander, Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 1972, #37, p. 62.

Melanie pointed out that the most common errors that persist past age 8 are producing the "r," "l" and "s" sounds. However, speech therapy is often recommended for children younger than 8 when speech errors occur, especially if the child is frustrated by his/her ability to be understood or if multiple errors occur that affect the overall intelligibility or clarity of a child’s speech.

"A lot of parents delay because they’ve become accustomed to their child’s way of talking — and it really can sound quite adorable — or they believe it will go away by itself," noted Melanie. "However, the longer the incorrect speech pattern persists, the more arduous it is to correct. It’s possible that your child will grow out of it, but it is always wise to discuss all articulation issues with your doctor."

Problems can also develop at any time. One client was an 8-year-old who spoke perfectly until the age of 6 when she lost her front teeth. Her habit of poking her tongue through the new gap developed into a lisp that continued even when her new teeth came in.

Nancy, the child’s mother, raved about Melanie’s techniques. "Melanie has a very creative approach to getting the job done. She has all sorts of games that children can play to work toward their goals; it’s not just sitting still and being drilled. My daughter thought it was a blast."

After six months of weekly sessions, Nancy’s daughter could speak clearly again. Nancy remarked, "Right after that, she got a big part in a school play, thanks to Melanie."

Melanie creates a stimulating environment for her clients so sessions are a positive and fun experience. "Having kids look forward to their sessions with Melanie is half the battle in solving the problem," said one of her clients.

"Most folks are surprised to learn how varied and fun therapy can be." Melanie stated. "I always try to get to know the child first to discover what are his/her favorite activities. I design his/her therapy program around those activities, whether it is drawing, cooking, soccer, computers, etc., it really keeps the kids motivated."

Unfortunately, "Many insurance companies do not cover articulation treatment because it is considered ‘developmental’ in nature unless there is an obvious physical issue, like a cleft palate. Many parents are surprised to find out they are not covered by their insurance plan."

Consequently, Melanie offers a reduced rate to meet some clients’ needs. "I try to work with the financial situation of the family, and have designed home programs when the family could not afford regular weekly treatment. I have also bartered for services. One client made beautiful draperies for my living room and I treated her child for difficulty producing the "s" sound. That child speaks beautifully now and I have a gorgeous living room!"

When not managing her private practice, Melanie works as a speech therapist at Mapleton Rehabilitation Center in Boulder. She is also a feeding specialist at Boulder Community Hospital and the Mapleton Center. In addition, she is a candidate for certification by the International Association of Infant Massage to teach infant massage classes.

Melanie Potock, M.A., CCC-SLP, has recently expanded her private practice in an effort to meet community demand. She offers private articulation therapy sessions for children aged 2 to 12 in her Niwot office. For more information, or to schedule an evaluation, call 303-530-1148.