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What Is a Lisp and What Causes It?

Top articles, more articles.

Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications

If you or someone you know misarticulates certain phonetic sounds, it may be due to a lisp. The cause, effects and solutions for this speech disorder may differ, depending on the person. Here's why someone may have trouble making phonetic sounds correctly and what can be done about it.

What Are Lisps and What Causes Them?

A lisp is a common type of speech impediment. An article from Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Programs specifies several potential causes of lisping:

• Learning to pronounce sounds incorrectly
• Jaw alignment problems
• Tongue-tie , where the tongue is attached to the bottom of the mouth and movement is limited
• Tongue thrust , where the tongue protrudes out between the front teeth

Some of these issues are apparent from birth, such as a tongue-tie, while others, such as improper pronunciation, develop as a child learns to speak.

What Are the Types of Lisps?

There are four professional categories of lisps, as the Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Programs outlines. The first is a frontal lisp, which is the most common and occurs when individuals push their tongues too far forward. The second is a lateral lisp, which happens if air moves over the sides of the tongue when speaking, resulting in a slurred sound. People with palatal lisps, the third kind, touch their tongue to the roof of their mouth while saying certain sounds. Finally, the fourth kind, dental lisps, are easily confused with frontal lisps, but these occur when the individual pushes their tongue against the teeth — not through them.

The Connection Between Lisping and Misaligned Teeth

Malocclusion is the misalignment of teeth when biting down which occurs because the teeth are crooked or not spaced correctly.

In some cases, dental malocclusion can be directly linked to speech disorders. Research conducted in a 2021 study published in the Journal of Applied Oral Science determined that people with speech articulation issues, such as a lisp, have a high chance of malocclusion. However, malocclusion doesn't necessarily cause the speech disorder, and the severity of the disorder doesn't necessarily correlate to the severity of the malocclusion.

Some of the alignment issues associated with speech disorders include:

• Increased overjet
• Spacing between the teeth in the upper jaw

It is crucial for anyone who believes they have a speech disorder or a bite issue to get a professional diagnosis. It's especially important to determine if the lisp results from tongue thrust, as this condition can have significant dental consequences. Parents who notice speech difficulties in their children should seek evaluation.

How to Treat Speech Articulation Issues

Having a speech issue can be emotionally challenging. If you or someone you know has speech trouble, there are several ways to seek help. People with lisping issues can seek help from a dentist, orthodontist, doctor, or speech-language pathologist.

A dentist can check the positioning of the teeth and the size and shape of the palate and bite. A physician may look for other things, such as allergies and tonsil size, while a speech and language pathologist will likely focus on how the individual speaks, breathes, and eats. Sometimes, treating a speech issue requires a combination of professional interventions.

If you or someone you know suffers from a speech disorder, don't worry! There are many resources available for support and speech lisp therapy.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider. 

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What Causes Lisping?

In this article

A lisp is a speech disorder that affects how someone pronounces certain sounds. 

Lisps commonly develop during childhood. Nearly 1 in 12 children between the ages of 3 and 17 had a disorder related to voice, speech, or swallowing in 2012. 1  

Speech disorders, including lisps, are most prevalent in children between the ages of 3 and 6, at 11%. 2 Many children grow out of their lisps, though some may persist for years, even into adulthood. 

Persistent lisps may require treatment from a speech-language pathologist, also known as a speech therapist. A speech therapist can identify the cause and type of your child’s lisp and treat it.

Lisping is a functional speech impediment, meaning it doesn’t have an identified origin. However, there are some possible causes of lisping, including:

• Learning how to say certain sounds incorrectly
• Jaw alignment issues
• Tongue tie or ankyloglossia, when the tongue is tethered to the bottom of the mouth, causing limited mobility
• Pacifier use or thumbsucking

Speech professionals debate the actual cause of lisping, but it’s possible to treat a lisp if your child doesn’t grow out of it.

What are the Different Types of Lisps?

Speech-language pathologists categorize lisps into four different types:

• Frontal lisp – someone with a frontal lisp pushes their tongue too far forward, causing a mispronunciation of S or Z as a “th” sound. Frontal lisps are the most common type.
• Lateral lisp – in a lateral lisp, extra air slips over the sides of the tongue, making S and Z sound “wet”. It may sound like someone with a lateral lisp has excess saliva in their mouth.
• Palatal lisp – palatal lisps involve touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth, especially during S, Z, and sometimes R sounds.
• Dental lisp – dental and frontal lisps sound very similar. However, in a dental lisp, an individual pushes their tongue against their teeth instead of past them.

A speech therapist will identify which type of lisp your child has. Knowing the type will help them create a treatment plan to correct it.

Symptoms of a Lisp

Lisp symptoms are almost always what you hear in your child’s speech. The most common indicators of a lisp include:

• Pronouncing S and Z sounds as “th” (frontal or dental)
• A wet, slushy sound accompanying S and Z (lateral) 
• An H sound preceding S and Z (palatal)

Lisps don’t typically cause any symptoms unrelated to speech. However, children with lisps may also have:

• Structural irregularities in the tongue and palate
• Jaw issues such as an excessive overbite
• Abnormalities in the teeth, like an excessive overjet
• Hearing difficulties
• Delayed development
• Recent stress or trauma
• Prolonged respiratory illnesses

While these are not necessarily causes of a lisp, you may see them in conjunction with a lisp.

When to Worry About a Lisp

Most children outgrow their lisps after their toddler years. If your child’s lisp persists past age 5, consult a speech-language pathologist. 3

A speech therapist will evaluate your child’s lisp and determine its type. They’ll then formulate a treatment plan designed to correct the lisp. If they find that something structural is causing the lisp, such as a dental issue, they may refer you to another specialist.

When to See a Speech-Language Pathologist

Most children outgrow a lisp and confidently say all speech sounds by age 5. If they have a lisp past that age, you may wish to see a speech-language pathologist, especially if the lisp causes discomfort or self-esteem issues.

Finding a speech therapist in your area is easy. Many public schools employ speech-language pathologists that can see your children as part of their school day. You can ask your doctor for a referral, check local rehabilitation centers, or contact therapy clinics.

The American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) also has an excellent search tool for finding a speech therapist near you.

5 Ways to Correct a Lisp

Research shows that speech-language interventions are highly effective. One study found that an average of just 6 hours of speech therapy over 6 months can produce a significant improvement. 4

Some of the techniques that speech-language pathologists use to correct a lisp are:

1. Developing awareness

The first step in correcting a lisp is to teach your child to recognize the difference between how they pronounce words versus how others do. They may need help to hear their lisp on their own.

A speech therapist will demonstrate both speaking methods and have your child differentiate between them. You can practice this exercise at home with your child, too.

2. Learning tongue placement

Once your child can hear their lisp, their speech therapist will teach them how to form proper pronunciations. They will educate you and your child on correctly placing their tongue.

Demonstrating and practicing tongue placement is an exercise you can do at home.

3. Practicing words

Now that your child knows how and where to place their tongue, the speech therapist will have them practice words that trigger their lisp.

For example, if S is a problem sound, they will have them practice words that contain the same sound. They might start with words that begin with S, then move on to words with S in the middle or at the end.

4. Working on phrases

After your child has mastered words, they’ll move on to short phrases. These phrases will contain more difficult words.

A speech therapist may linger on this step until your child has fully mastered the phrases and words that give them trouble.

5. Having conversations

Lastly, your child and their speech therapist will practice having entire conversations together. A conversation will combine everything they’ve worked on together during treatment. 

At this point, your child should be able to say difficult words without lisping. If you want to practice this at home, you can have your child:

• Tell you a story about their day
• Teach you how to do something
• Identify pictures or objects around the house

Other Treatments for Lisping

You may hear about other treatments for a lisp, such as having your child drink through a straw. However, using objects such as straws for speech therapy is controversial, as there’s limited evidence of its effectiveness. 5

How to Cope With a Lisp

Lisping can have an impact on your child’s confidence and self-esteem. Other children may tease them for their lisp, which could interfere with their school and social life. 

It can also be frustrating to deal with a lisp as an adult. Research shows that a lisp impacts how people view your speaking ability, intelligence, and employability. 6

Here are a few tips on how to cope with a lisp for adults and children:

• Seek treatment — speech therapy can build your confidence and correct your lisp.
• Get support — seek psychotherapy for you or your child if you need help navigating social situations.
• Set boundaries — ask friends and family not to make fun of any type of speech impediment, developmental issue, or disability.

Can Lisping Cause Other Problems? 

While lisping may lead to some peer bullying, it generally does not cause any physical issues. Your child’s health is not necessarily at risk simply because they have a lisp.

However, lisps can indicate an underlying issue, such as a tongue tie. It’s always wise to get your child’s lisp evaluated.

A lisp is a type of speech impediment affecting the pronunciation of certain sounds. It commonly impacts how someone pronounces S, Z, or R. 

Lisping has no specific cause, though some factors may influence its development, including how we learn sounds, jaw alignment, pacifier use, and tongue tie. While most children outgrow their lisp after their toddler years, some may continue lisping as they age. 

Consult a speech-language pathologist if your child hasn’t lost their lisp by age 5. A speech therapist uses many methods to correct a lisp, including teaching correct tongue placement and practicing difficult words.

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• Black, L., et al. “ Communication Disorders and Use of Intervention Services Among Children Aged 3–17 Years: United States, 2012 .” NCHS Data Brief, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015.
• “ Quick Statistics About Voice, Speech, Language .” National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016. 
• “ Four to Five Years .” American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2022.
• Broomfield, J., et al. “ Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial. ” International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, National Library of Medicine, 2011.
• Ruscello, D. “ Nonspeech oral motor treatment issues related to children with developmental speech sound disorders .” Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, National Library of Medicine, 2008.
• Allard, E., et al. “ Listeners’ perceptions of speech and language disorders. ” Journal of Communication Disorders, Elsevier, Inc., 2008.

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How to Talk with a Lisp

Last Updated: March 2, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger . Devin Fisher is a Speech-Language Pathologist based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Devin specializes in speech and language therapy for individuals with aphasia, swallowing, voice, articulation, phonological social-pragmatic, motor speech, and fluency disorders. Furthermore, Devin treats cognitive-communication impairment, language delay, and Parkinson's Disease. He holds a BS and MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Fontbonne University. Devin also runs a related website and blog that offers speech-language therapy resources and information for clinicians and clients. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 176,689 times.

If you have a lisp, you might have trouble saying the sounds /s/ and /z/. That can be frustrating, especially if it affects your self-esteem. Luckily, though, there are a few tricks you can use to help improve your pronunciation—and making your speech clearer might help you feel more confident about expressing yourself. Not sure where to start? That's where we come in!

How do you fix a lisp?

• You can also ask someone else to give you feedback as you practice the sounds.

How can I improve my /s/ and /z/ sounds?

• Pay close attention to where your tongue is in your mouth when you get the sound right. Then, try to place it there each time you say a word with the /s/ or /z/ sound.

• For instance, you might practice saying, "sand, master, keys" or "zap, pizza, bows."
• Listen to yourself as you say different words. If you notice that you're saying some of them correctly, pay close attention to where your tongue is while you're pronouncing the /s/ or /z/ sound. [6] X Research source

• The striped zebra made me sneeze.
• I eat spaghetti with a spoon.
• I see a sock.
• We saw the store.

What exercises can you do at home to improve a lisp?

• This can help you learn to keep your tongue off the front of your teeth if you have an interdental lisp, and it can help you learn to blow the air out forward if you have a dental lisp.
• To practice /z/, do the same thing, vocalize in your throat instead of just blowing air.

• Once you can do that, try saying words that end in "ts," like "eats," "cats," and "boats."

When should I correct my child's lisp?

• If your child tends to drool or drop food out of their mouth when they eat, their tongue protrudes from their mouth, or they have trouble licking their lips, talk to their doctor sooner—they may have a structural issue that can be corrected. [11] X Research source

• Have your child's hearing and teeth checked regularly, as well.
• Avoid pointing out that your child lisps when it's happening—this probably won't help, and could damage their self-esteem. [13] X Research source

Can braces fix a lisp?

What are the most common types of lisps?

What causes someone to talk with a lisp?

• Tongue thrust can be caused by thumb sucking and long-term pacifier or bottle use in early childhood. [16] X Research source However, it can also be the result of chronic sinus or allergy problems that cause you to frequently breathe through your mouth. [17] X Research source
• If you think tongue thrust might be contributing to your lisp, practice keeping your tongue off of your front teeth to correct the problem. You might also consult with a speech therapist, dentist, or orthodontist. [18] X Research source

• Some children start speaking with a lisp after they experience severe stress—this might be a kind of regression as a way of coping with trauma.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP. Speech Language Pathologist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2021.
• ↑ https://jamaicahospital.org/newsletter/when-is-it-time-to-address-your-childs-lisp/
• ↑ https://pammarshalla.com/jaw-position-and-lateral-lisp/
• ↑ https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/speech-therapy-frontal-lisp/
• ↑ https://www.babycenter.com/child/development/can-i-help-correct-my-childs-lisp-ages-6-to-8_71658
• ↑ https://www.speechpathology.com/ask-the-experts/at-what-age-does-frontal-1581
• ↑ http://www.healthofchildren.com/L/Lisping.html
• ↑ https://www.rdhmag.com/career-profession/personal-wellness/article/16408965/recognizing-tongue-thrust-patients
• ↑ https://www.speechpathology.com/ask-the-experts/writing-the-ultimate-hurdle-882

About This Article

One thing you can do to pronounce words clearly with a lisp is practice "s" and "z" sounds in a mirror with your lips open like you’re smiling. While speaking, put your top and bottom teeth together, with the bottom resting just below the top. Another thing you can try is vocalization exercises. Start making "s" and "z" sounds and work up to syllables, words, sentences, and even tongue twisters! You can also strengthen your mouth and tongue by drinking with a straw or blowing into a mouthpiece, like a whistle. If you want to learn more, like how to practice tongue twisters and sentences, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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My child has a lisp! Is this normal?

• By Red Door Pediatric Therapy Staff

By: Red Door Pediatric Therapy Staff

A lisp is a common speech disorder that affects the pronunciation of certain sounds. Children with a lisp may have difficulty producing the “s” and “z” sounds, as well as the “sh” and “ch” sounds. This can be frustrating for both the child and the parents, but it is important to remember that lisps are treatable with the help of a speech-language pathologist (SLP).

What is a lisp and what causes it?

When should i be concerned about my child’s lisp, what can i do if my child has a lisp, what does speech therapy for a lisp involve.

• Articulation therapy: This involves teaching your child how to produce the sounds correctly through a series of exercises and drills.
• Oral-motor therapy: This involves exercises to improve the strength and coordination of the muscles in the mouth and face.
• Speech-sound discrimination: This involves helping your child to identify and differentiate between the correct and incorrect production of sounds.
• Environmental modifications: This involves making changes to the environment to support your child’s communication skills, such as reducing background noise or providing visual cues.
• Providing opportunities for your child to practice their speech skills, such as through conversation or reading aloud.
• Encouraging your child to engage in activities that promote oral-motor development, such as blowing bubbles or playing with chewy toys.
• Using positive reinforcement to encourage your child’s progress and celebrate their successes.

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What is a lisp  .

If your child has a ‘lisp’ they may sound a bit different when they say the sound ‘s’. You can usually tell that your child is trying to say the sound ‘s’, but you may think it sounds ‘slushy’, ‘wet’, ‘hissy’, or more like a ‘th’ sound. Lisps happen when a child’s tongue is not in the typical position when they make the sound ‘s’. For example, their tongue might poke out further.  

Some families want help with their child’s lisp so they sound clearer. Other families and communities think that having a lisp is simply a different way of talking, and they accept the lisp as part of what makes their child unique.  

What causes a child to have a lisp?  

There is no known cause of a lisp. The following things have traditionally been linked to lisps, but there is no strong evidence:  

• The position or movement of the child’s jaw, teeth, and tongue.  
• Long term use of dummies or bottles.  
• For most children, they have simply learned to say a ‘s’ sound differently, and this has become a habit. Children are more likely to have a lisp if they have a close family member who has a lisp.  

My child has a lisp. Will they need speech and language therapy or will they just grow out of it?  

Some types of lisps are common when children first learn to talk. Lisps often disappear in time without therapy, usually by the age of four or five. Speech therapy may be helpful if your child’s lisp makes them difficult to understand, or if your child uses an unusual type of lisp. It can take a lot of energy and time for a child to change how they talk. Therapy works best when a child wants to work on their lisp and they can focus on therapy activities.    

If you are concerned about a lisp, it is best to contact a speech and language therapist. They will be able to assess what kind of lisp your child has, and they may provide some support to help your child say their sounds more clearly.  

We also have a free speech and language advice line , which is a confidential phone call with an experienced speech and language therapist. During the 30-minute call, you will be given the opportunity to talk through your concerns and questions regarding your child’s development. You can book your phone call here.  

My child has a lisp, what can I do to help?  

There are some things you can try at home to help your child with a lisp:  

• Focus on what your child says, rather than how they say it. Be positive and accepting of how they sound.  
• Model the right way to say a word when they make a mistake. For example, if your child says, ‘I want to wear the blue ‘thock’, you can say, ‘You want the blue ‘sock’. Don’t worry if they can’t say it back or copy you in the right way yet, they may not be ready.  
• If a dummy or bottle is being used, try to reduce this.  
• See our speech sound page for more ideas.

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Home » Health Conditions » Lisp

Last Updated December 20th, 2021

What are the main causes of lisp?

Can lisp be cured, is lisp a disability, what are the causes of lisp in adults.

Among humans, speech and spoken language are the powerful and effective tools of communication. The acquisition of speech is a highly complex process that we begin in infancy and continue to master throughout our lives. Some individuals take longer than others to develop speech skills. Certain others may be completely unable to speak as a result of muteness. There also exists a group of individuals who are able to communicate through speech but they may have certain defects or impediments.

What Is A ‘Speech Impediment’?

What Is A Lisp?

A lisp is an example of a functional speech disorder . It is a condition in which the person is unable to produce certain sounds necessary for speech. Hence, those who lisp are unable to achieve clear and correct articulation. Often, this involves difficulty in correctly pronouncing the sounds ‘s’, ‘z’ and ‘r’, among others. The most common form of lisp involves distorted pronunciation of sibilant sounds.

Why Do Some People Lisp?

Generally, a lisp is caused by the inability to achieve correct placement of the tongue within the mouth when attempting to produce certain sounds. The specifics are discussed further on in the section dealing with different types of lisps.

The true cause for lisping is not as yet clear. Yet, there may also be certain other factors that contribute to the lisp. For instance:

• Tongue thrust is a common muscular imbalance that most of us display in infancy. If this persists as one grows older, it tends to give rise to lisping speech. Thumb sucking and use of pacifiers can encourage tongue thrust.
• Having an underbite or an overbite can also be responsible for lisping.
• A birth defect known as tongue-tie, which impairs the mobility of the tongue can also give rise to a lisp.
• Having frequent upper respiratory illnesses in early childhood encourage breathing through the mouth and this can affect the normal development of speech.
• Emotional or psychological stress.

Are There Different Kinds of Lisps?

Yes, there are a few different varieties of lisps. These are differentiated as follows:

• Interdental lisp: A person with an interdental lisp will pronounce the sound ‘s’ and ‘z’ incorrectly as ‘th’. Hence, the word ‘lisp’ itself will be pronounced as ‘lithp’. This is normal for children up until the age of 4-4.5. This happens because the tongue pushes forward between the front teeth, causing air to flow forward. Hence, this is also called a frontal lisp.
• Dental lisp: Here, too, air gets pushed forwards when speaking. In this case, the tongue rests against the front teeth when articulating sibilants. As a result, the sound is somewhat muted as compared to an interdental lisp.
• Lateral lisp: This is called so because air is pushed out through the sides of the mouth. The resultant sound is often described as ‘wet’, making it seem as if the person’s mouth is full of saliva when speaking.
• Palatal lisp: Here, the speaker attempts to articulate a sibilant but it becomes distorted because the middle of the tongue is in contact with the soft palate.

How Can The Specific Type Be Identified?

Visiting a doctor can help to make a preliminary assessment. The child will be examined for any structural abnormalities in the mouth. In order to determine the nature of the lisp and the most suitable mode of treatment, it is recommended to seek the opinion of a specialist such as a speech and a language therapist.

Can A Lisp Be Improved Or Corrected?

• Treat cold, sinus, and allergies so that the child doesn’t have to breathe through the mouth.
• Reduce thumb-sucking as much as possible.
• Let the child drink fluids through straws.

Can A Lisp Give Rise To Additional Problems?

Most people who lisp can still be understood well by others. Their speech impediment does not cause any significant problems in their day to day lives. Yet, a person who speaks with a lisp can sometimes become the target of ridicule and humiliation. This can cause them to feel embarrassed, self-conscious or anxious in situations involving public speaking. This can give rise to a severe phobia or even depression.

• https://medlineplus.gov/speechandcommunicationdisorders.html
• https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/statistics-voice-speech-and-language
• http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/what-are-speech-and-language-disorders
• https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/disability-and-special-needs/speech-and-language-impairments
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-perspectives-of-children-and-young-people-who-have-speech-language-and-communication-needs-and-their-parents

Dos and Don'ts

• Get the condition corrected with the help of a licensed speech therapist.
• If the child suffers from any developmental problem or cleft palate, see that lisping is treated as soon as possible.
• Let the child feel that he/she is dumb or stupid for not being able to talk properly.
• Force the child to get better fast with speech therapy. Every individual has a different speed of showing improvements.
• Ignore the symptoms of communication disorders especially if an individual has experienced emotional/mental trauma.

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Types of Lisp Speech Disorders

Lisps, also referred to as Functional Speech Disorders or FMD’s, are amongst the most commonly identified and widely recognized speech problems that people experience. A “ lisp ” is an articulation problem that results in the inability to pronounce one or more consonant sounds. The most common example of this is the inability or difficulty pronouncing the letter sounds “s” or “z.” This is most often due to incorrect placement of the tongue within the mouth and is called an Interdental lisp. However, this is just one of four main types of lisps. Lisps can be common and normal in various stages of development in children. In some cases, lisps don’t fade as the child ages and can persist into the adult years. 

In this article, we will explore the different types of lisps, their causes, and how they can be effectively treated and often eventually corrected through treatment with a specialized Speech Therapist.

What are the different kinds of lisps?

There are many different types of lisps, however, there are four types that are most commonly observed. They are:

• Interdental lisp – Interdental lisp is the most common and well-known type of lisp. It is caused by the tongue pushing forward between the front teeth. In the case of an interdental lisp, the s or z sound is pronounced like “ th” .
• Dentalized lisp or dentalized production – This type of lisp occurs when the tongue pushes against the front teeth. This results in a muffled s or z sound. 
• Lateral lisp – A lateral lisp occurs when air exits the mouth out of the sides, resulting in slushy or wet-sounding speech as the spoken sound mixes with the sound of air and saliva. This type of lisp is most famously depicted by cartoon characters such as Sylvester the Cat and Daffy Duck. 
• Palatal lisp – This type of lisp is less common and occurs when the center of the tongue is in contact with the roof of the mouth, or the soft palate when attempting to produce the s sound.

Why do People have a Lisp? Is a lisp a mental disorder?

Like other functional speech disorders, the cause of lisps isn’t always known. In these cases, a lisp would be classified as a speech delay or disorder with an unknown origin. Some of the known causes or factors in lisp development are:

-Phonetic vs Linguistic – When it comes to lisps, the cause is almost always a phonetic disorder , meaning the affected person struggles to position the tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw correctly to achieve the attempted sound. This differentiates lisps from other speech disorders which are linguistic in origin, meaning the intended sounds can be achieved, but the person struggles with knowing and identifying which sound to use, especially when they are similar to others in sound or meaning. 

-Physiological factors – In some cases there are structural or physiological factors that contribute to the cause of a lisp. These can include abnormalities or irregularities with the soft palate, tongue, teeth, or position of teeth, While these things can be factors in lisp development, they are usually not the main or root cause.

-Genetics – Genetics can play a significant role in the development, structure, and position of one’s jaw, teeth, tongue and bite. In some cases, a lisp can be caused by abnormal development or positioning of the jaw and/or teeth. 

-Tongue Thrust/ Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder – Tongue thrust or OMD refers to the reflex of pushing the tongue forward between the front teeth. This reflex is normal in babies and children, and in most cases, children’s speaking and swallowing patterns evolve and develop normally. By the age of 6, most children no longer have a tongue thrust reflex. In some cases, prolonged tongue thrust is related to extended use of pacifiers, baby bottles, or other habits such as thumb sucking, allergies, or an untreated tongue-tie. 

-Hearing Loss – Some lisps are related to mild hearing loss, particularly involving high frequencies, which can affect the person’s ability to hear sounds correctly, and subsequently, they will struggle to repeat them. 

How are Lisps Treated? Can a Lisp be Corrected? 

Speech Therapy can be incredibly effective when it comes to addressing pronunciation and articulation concerns such as lisping. Speech Therapy to improve a lisp typically involves a progression of skill development, working first to clearly say the challenging sounds on their own (S and Z for example) and then over time working to properly execute these sounds within various words and combinations of words. How long this process takes and what the steps between each goal look like, will vary from person to person. Speech Therapy will aim to bring awareness to the various challenges and areas in need of improvement and to help bring mindfulness to related goals and positive outcomes. This is referred to as Articulation Therapy. Some specific techniques in individualized therapy might include the use of verbal, visual, or tactile cues. Verbal cues refer to the use of verbal instructions as well as demonstrating how to properly and effectively position the tongue and lips to articulate the sound. Visual clues include modeling how the sound should look and sound as well as the use of gestures to illustrate a certain sound. Tactile cues are when the therapist models the positioning and placement of the tongue and lips using touch. Other techniques that may be included in speech therapy are muscle strengthening exercises, learning to pronounce certain sounds and words, and a more general approach to annunciation coaching and support. 

If you or your loved one is struggling to identify or correct a lisp, connecting with a speech therapist can be an incredibly helpful and effective first step. Fill out our Get Started form by clicking the button below to book a free introductory call and start your journey with one of our highly specialized therapists. 

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What is a lisp and how does a speech therapist help?

by Jennifer Davis | Nov 8, 2021 | Speech , Speech Therapy | 0 comments

If your child has trouble pronouncing his ‘s’ and ‘z’, chances are that they have a lisp. Lisp is a speech impediment that develops during childhood and usually goes away on its own. 

What causes a lisp.

Most often a lisp is caused by the wrong tongue placement in the month. When that happens, the airflow to the inside of the mouth is obstructed. This causes the words and syllables to distort. Another reason your child has a lisp is because of tongue ties. 

In most cases, lisping is temporary and goes away on its own or with speech therapy. 

Types of Lisps

Understanding the type of lisp helps your speech therapist develop the right program. 

• Frontal Lisp 

The frontal lisp is produced when the tip of the tongue protrudes between the front teeth. This obstructs the airflow which causes the wrong pronunciation of the ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds. A frontal lisp is the most common form of lisp. 

• Palatal Lisp 

A palatal lisp is produced when the child rolls their tongue too far back and touches the soft palate or the roof of the mouth. 

• Dental Lisp 

A dental lisp occurs when the child pushes their tongue against the front teeth. 

• Lateral Lisp 

A Lateral lisp is produced when the child is not correctly directly the ‘s’ sound out from the airway. Instead of going out in the center of the mouth, the sound is released around the sides of the tongue. 

How can a speech therapist help? 

Depending on the kind of lisp, your child’s speech therapist will most likely adopt the following techniques to correct it: 

Generate Awareness 

A lisp looks cute to many parents but can be an impediment as the child grows old. A child might not be able to correct a lisp on his own when he doesn’t realize the difference. Speech therapists will modulate the right and wrong pronunciation to help your child identify and correct the lisp. 

Tongue Placement 

Most lisps are caused by the incorrect placement of the tongue. Your child’s speech therapist will identify the kind of lisp and then direct your child towards the right tongue placement. 

Drink Through a Straw 

Drinking from a straw cannot cure a lisp, but it can help generate awareness of the tongue. When your child drinks through a straw, it helps keep the tongue pointed down naturally away from the front teeth and the palette. 

Practicing Words and Phrases 

Your child’s SLP will identify the words that your child has difficulty pronouncing. He will practice these words with the child. He will help your child practice words with these sounds with the initial (beginning), medial (middle), and final (end) sounds. 

Your SLP will also give you words to practice at home with the child. If he doesn’t, ask him to provide a list to practice. 

Once your child is able to pronounce individual words properly, the SLP will move towards phrases. 

Conversation 

After a few rounds of practice sessions with words and phrases, your child’s SLP will move towards proper conversations to see how you are faring when the flow of words and sentences. 

At this point, your child should be able to easily converse without any issues. 

If your child is having issues with their speech, book a free initial consultation with our speech therapists. Call (408) 337-2727 today to talk to our expert SLPs.

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