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Different Types of Lisps and How to Treat Them

Different Types of Lisps & How to Treat Them

Lisps are common speech problems where a person has trouble pronouncing one or more consonant sounds. You may hear speech therapists and others refer to a lisp as a functional speech disorder (FSD).

People of any age can have a lisp. The condition can affect their personal, social, and professional well-being. Consequently, people often ask their doctor how to get rid of a lisp.

This article provides information about lisp causes, the different types of lisps, and how to fix a lisp.

What Is a Lisp?

A lisp is a speech impediment that affects a person’s ability to make “s” and “z” sounds. It occurs because of various problems with how the tongue moves when the person speaks.

Lisps most often develop in childhood and typically go away without treatment. However, some people have a lisp that persists. Unfortunately, children may tease a classmate with a lisp, and adults may perceive others negatively if they have a speech impediment. As a result, people with lisps sometimes struggle with communication and lack confidence.

What Are the Most Common Types of Lisps?

The most common lisp types are:

• Frontal (or interdental) lisp. This type of lisp occurs when a person’s tongue is too far forward and pushes between the front teeth when pronouncing words containing “s” or “z.” As a result, the sound is more “th” in nature.
• Dentalized lisp. This lisp sounds like a frontal lisp but is caused by the tongue pressing against the front teeth.
• Lateral lisp. A lateral lisp has a hissing sound as if there is excess saliva in the mouth. It’s caused by extra air sliding over the tongue.
• Palatal lisp. This lisp occurs when a person touches their tongue to the roof of their mouth when making “s” and “z” sounds.

Causes of Lisps

Why a particular person develops a lisp is often unknown. Some possible causes include being “tongue-tied” (a condition called ankyloglossia where tissue under the tongue restricts movement) or having a jaw alignment problem. Genetics and their effect on the development of the tongue and mouth structures may also be a factor, as can mild hearing loss. Sometimes, a person learns an incorrect pronunciation of “s” and “z” sounds as a child.

Diagnosing a Lisp

Lisps in children typically resolve without treatment. However, if your child’s speech impediment hasn’t gone away as they approach age five, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor and consider speech therapy. A speech-language pathologist can determine what type of lisp is present and recommend treatment.

What Is the Best Way to Fix a Lisp?

Speech therapy is highly effective in correcting lisps. The process may take a few months (for younger children) to a few years (for older children with a more established lisp), but it generally produces excellent results.

Treatment for a lisp typically involves:

• Helping the person hear what their lisp sounds like
• Teaching them how to place their tongue to produce sounds correctly
• Having them perform exercises like saying specific words or phrases containing the sounds
• Engaging the person in conversations that challenge them to remember and use proper tongue placement

Learn More About the Treatment of Lisps

Lisps are common speech problems that often resolve on their own but can be persistent. Can you fix a lisp? Yes, lisps can be corrected, typically with assistance from a speech-language pathologist.

If your child has a lisp or you have one, Baptist Health can help. Learn about our speech pathology services .

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Speech Therapy: How to Get Rid of a Lisp or Tongue Thrust?

Posted on January 2nd, 2024.

Speech therapy is a vital field that addresses various speech and language disorders, helping individuals improve their communication skills and overall quality of life. 

Among the common issues tackled in this realm are lisps and tongue thrusts, challenges that can significantly impact speech articulation and clarity. 

Understanding these conditions is the first step towards effective treatment. With advancements in speech therapy techniques, overcoming these speech impediments has become more achievable than ever before. 

Key to this process is articulation therapy, a targeted approach that focuses on correcting the specific sounds affected by these conditions. 

Additionally, engaging in specific exercises can play a crucial role in treatment, offering practical solutions to those struggling with these speech issues. 

The journey towards clearer speech is not just about correcting sounds; it's about building confidence and improving communication skills. 

In this article, we delve into the intricacies of lisps and tongue thrusts, exploring their causes, symptoms, and the effective strategies used in speech therapy to overcome them. Let's embark on this informative journey to understand better and address these common speech challenges.

Understanding Lisp and Tongue Thrust

A lisp is a common speech impediment that affects a person's ability to produce certain sounds clearly. Often characterized by difficulty in articulating 's' and 'z' sounds, a lisp can vary in severity and type. 

The most common types include the interdental and the lateral lisp. In an interdental lisp, the tongue protrudes between the teeth, leading to a 'th'-like sound for 's' and 'z'. 

Conversely, a lateral lisp produces a slushy sound, as air escapes over the sides of the tongue. Understanding the nature of a lisp is crucial for effective speech therapy.

What is a Tongue Thrust?

Tongue thrust, another speech issue, involves a pattern where the tongue protrudes through the anterior incisors during speech and swallowing . This habit can affect dental health and the clarity of speech. Common signs of tongue thrust include difficulty with certain sounds, such as 't', 'd', 'n', and 'l', and may lead to orthodontic issues. Recognizing these signs is essential for timely intervention through speech therapy.

This section provides a foundational understanding of lisps and tongue thrusts, setting the stage for deeper exploration into their diagnosis, treatment, and successful management through speech therapy techniques.

Diagnosing Lisp and Tongue Thrust

Diagnosing speech impediments such as lisps and tongue thrusts requires a comprehensive approach, involving careful assessment by a speech therapist. Early identification and diagnosis are crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes. A speech therapist employs a range of diagnostic tools and techniques to accurately assess these conditions, taking into account factors like age, overall speech development, and the impact on daily communication. This thorough evaluation forms the basis for a personalized treatment plan, tailored to address the specific needs of each individual.

Identifying a Lisp

The process of identifying a lisp involves detailed observation and analysis of speech patterns. Speech therapists often use standardized speech assessment tools to determine the type and severity of the lisp. They listen for characteristic sound distortions and observe tongue placement and movement during speech. It's important to differentiate between developmental lisps, which may resolve on their own, and persistent lisps that require intervention. Once diagnosed, a targeted articulation therapy plan is developed to address the specific type of lisp.

Recognizing Tongue Thrust

Diagnosing tongue thrust involves observing the tongue's position during speech and swallowing. Speech therapists look for signs like frequent lip licking, mouth breathing, and difficulty with certain sounds. They also assess the impact of tongue thrust on dental alignment and oral health. 

Diagnosis may involve collaboration with dentists or orthodontists, especially if there are associated orthodontic issues. Early recognition and intervention are key to preventing long-term effects on speech and dental health.

Related: Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) in Children: Spotting the Signs for Early Intervention

Treatment and Exercises

Effective treatment for lisps and tongue thrusts is multifaceted, combining speech therapy techniques with specific exercises to strengthen and retrain the muscles involved in speech. The goal is not just to correct speech patterns but also to foster confidence and ease in communication. Treatment plans are highly individualized, reflecting the unique needs and challenges of each person.

Overcoming a Lisp

Treatment for a lisp primarily focuses on articulation therapy, where individuals learn to correctly position their tongue and shape their mouths to produce clear sounds. 

This involves a series of exercises tailored to the specific type of lisp, whether it's interdental or lateral. Techniques may include visual and tactile feedback, using mirrors or touch to guide correct tongue placement. The therapist also works on increasing awareness of sound production, helping individuals to self-correct. Consistent practice and reinforcement at home are essential for success.

Tackling Tongue Thrust

Addressing tongue thrust requires exercises designed to retrain the tongue's resting position and movement during speech and swallowing. These exercises often involve strengthening the tongue and oral muscles, improving control over tongue movement. Therapists may suggest placing tactile markers on the alveolar ridge (or "the spot" just behind the top front teeth) to provide real-time information about tongue placement. In some cases, collaboration with an orthodontist is necessary, especially if there are related dental issues. The success of the treatment hinges on consistent practice and the integration of exercises into daily routines.

The Benefits of Speech Therapy Sessions at Tryumph

Speech therapy sessions at Tryumph are more than just treatments; they are transformative experiences that empower individuals to communicate more effectively and confidently. Our sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client, focusing on overcoming challenges like lisps and tongue thrusts. With a blend of cutting-edge techniques and personalized care, our therapists work diligently to ensure that each session contributes to significant progress.

During these sessions, clients engage in a variety of exercises and activities designed to target specific speech issues. We emphasize not only the correction of speech patterns but also the development of clear and confident communication skills. Our therapists provide continuous support and feedback, making each session a stepping stone towards achieving your speech goals.

Moreover, the benefits of our speech therapy extend beyond the therapy room. We equip our clients with tools and strategies to practice in their daily lives, ensuring continuous improvement and lasting results. Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our speech therapy sessions offer a supportive and effective pathway to better communication.

To experience the difference that our expertly guided speech therapy sessions can make, visit us at Tryumph Speech Therapy Services. 

For more information or to schedule a session, contact us at (512) 898 9858 or [email protected] . Let us guide you on your journey to clear and confident communication.

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What’s a Lisp and How Do You Treat It?

• Virtual Speech Therapy LLC
• March 26, 2024

Reviewed by Dr. Joyce Richardson, PhD .

A lisp is a speech impediment characterized by difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, particularly the “s” and “z” sounds. It’s typically addressed through speech therapy and consistent practice.

A lisp can have a big impact on those affected, especially in social situations or professional settings.

Imagine trying to have a conversation with someone who struggles with their “s” and “z” sounds – it can make things a bit awkward, right?

Fortunately, with the right support and resources, individuals can overcome the challenges associated with a lisp and develop clearer and more confident speech.

We’re here to shed some light on this topic. From the different types of lisps to what causes them and how to treat them. Keep reading to learn more.

What Causes a Lisp?

A lisp can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Structural abnormalities
• Muscle coordination issues
• Habitual factors

Sometimes it’s a case of anatomy. Structural abnormalities, such as a cleft palate, tooth misalignment, or a tongue tie can disrupt the normal airflow during speech production, leading to a lisp.

Then there’s muscle coordination. Think of it like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time – except it’s your tongue trying to hit the right spots to make those “s” and “z” sounds. Sometimes, things just don’t sync up like they’re supposed to which can be due to developmental delays or neurological conditions that affect muscle control.

Habitual factors, like prolonged use of pacifiers or thumb sucking during early childhood, can also affect the development of speech and lead to a lisp. In some cases, a lisp may be a learned behavior from hearing others speak with a lisp or imitating certain speech patterns. Breaking those habits can take some work, but it’s absolutely doable.

Identifying the root cause is the first step to tackling a lisp head-on. Whether it’s anatomy, muscle coordination, habits, or something else entirely, understanding the cause is key to finding the right treatment approach.

Impact of Lisps

Lisps can have a pretty big impact on someone’s life.

Communication Challenges

Having a lisp can make communication tricky and make it hard for individuals to express themselves clearly.

Picture trying to chat about “sunshine” but ending up with “thunthine” instead.

These communication hiccups can lead to misunderstandings and frustration, both for the person with the lisp and the ones they’re talking to.

Social and Emotional Effects

Lisps can also take a toll on confidence if you’re constantly worrying if your words will come out right or if you’ll trip over your tongue mid-sentence.

The embarrassment caused can lead to lower self-esteem and even a reluctance to speak up in public.

And for kids who are just starting to find their voice, this can really complicate things.

Different Types of Lisps

There are four main types of Lisps:

• Lateral Lisp: A lateral lisp occurs when the /s/ and /z/ sounds are produced with air flowing over the sides of the tongue, resulting in a “wet” sound.
• Palatal Lisp: In a palatal lisp, the /s/ and /z/ sounds are pronounced with the tongue in contact with the roof of your mouth, resulting in a “slushy” sound.
• Frontal Lisp: This type of lisp happens when the /s/ and /z/ sounds are pronounced with the tongue too far forward, resulting in more of a “th” sound.
• Dental Lisp: The dental lisp is the most common type of lisp and it involves the tongue coming into contact with the front teeth, resulting in the /s/ and /z/ sounds being pronounced with a “th” sound similar to the frontal lisp.

How to Treat a Lisp

Treating a lisp typically involves a combination of speech therapy with a qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP) and consistent practice.

Your SLP will suggest a treatment plan based on:

• The type of lisp you’re dealing with and,
• What is causing it.

Treatment will often include exercises to improve tongue placement, airflow, and articulation of “s” and “z” sounds.

In some cases, other interventions may be recommended, such as orofacial myofunctional therapy to address underlying muscle coordination issues, behavioral therapy to modify speech patterns and habits, or a frenotomy if a tongue tie is causing the lisp.

When Should My Child With a Lisp Get Treatment?

It depends on what’s causing it.

Depending on what’s causing your child’s lisp, you may want to take action right away, while other times, it might be best to wait and see if things improve on their own.

A frontal lisp is often just a part of young children’s developmental journey. As they grow and learn new sounds, the lisp may naturally improve on its own so a speech-language pathologist might wait until age seven before providing intervention.

A lateral lisp on the other hand is not considered a developmental distortion so treatment can begin earlier, usually around four and a half years of age, to address this type of lisp.

Consulting with a licensed speech therapist is the best way to figure out the best course of action and the timing.

How to Support Your Child With a Lisp

Whether you’re waiting it out, or actively treating the lisp, there are things you want to keep in mind in order to support your child along their journey:

• Create a supportive environment: Avoid any form of mockery or ridicule
• Encourage confidence and self-esteem: Praise their efforts and focus on their strengths, rather than their speech impediment.
• Encourage open communication: Provide a safe space for your child to express themselves without fear of judgment.
• Be mindful of their feelings: Make sure they feel included in conversations and activities and encourage peers and family members to be patient and understanding too.

Working With the Right Speech-Language Pathologist

Finding the right Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) can make a world of difference in your or your child’s communication abilities.

Look for an SLP licensed and certified by ASHA with experience. Find someone who will customize their therapy to suit the unique requirements of your child with a lisp.

At Virtual Speech Therapy LLC , our seasoned team boasts over 50 years of collective experience, catering to individuals of all ages and diverse communication needs. Plus, we offer the convenience of therapy sessions right from the comfort of your own home.

If you’re ready to take the first step toward improving your communication abilities, reach out today to schedule your initial consultation .

More on Speech Therapy

Signs of Tongue Thrust in Adults And How to Treat It

8 Common Symptoms of Autism in Women

Understanding Motor Speech Disorders: Dysarthria and Apraxia of Speech

What Does a Pediatric Speech Pathologist Do?

Did I Cause My Child’s Speech Delay?

Everything to Know about Speech Therapy at Home for Adults

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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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How to Get Rid of a Speech Disorder

Last Updated: December 4, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP . 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 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 330,246 times.

Many people feel insecure about their speech impediments, whether they're dealing with a lisp or an inability to articulate words. Although it may not seem like it—particularly if you have been dealing with this problem for years—you may be able to get rid of or improve your speech impediment with a few speech-training practices and some major confidence-boosters. And don't forget to seek out the professional opinion of a speech and language therapist/pathologist for more information.

Helping Yourself with a Speech Disorder

• One modern approach is to use technology. There are apps that can run on smartphones and tablets that listen to what you say and then give you feedback. For example, on Android there is the free app "Talking English." You can also find similar apps in the Apple App Store.

Stephanie Jeret

Cues and picture boards can help those with aphasia find words and express thoughts. For aphasia or trouble finding words, cues like the first sound can help jog your memory. Picture boards are great too, especially if speaking is very difficult. These tools allow people to communicate their needs and thoughts through other means.

Using Your Body to Improve Speech

• Shoulders relaxed
• Back straight
• Feet steady

• Sit comfortably and with an erect posture. Breathe in deeply through your nose. You should use your hand to feel your stomach expanding like a balloon being inflated. Hold the breath and then release it slowly, feeling your stomach deflating beneath your hand. Repeat this exercise before you have to speak publicly to relieve stress.

Getting Professional Help

• Speech therapy is helpful for correcting your impediment. The therapist will point out the part of speech where you're having problems, and will work with you to correct it. Private speech therapy sessions do not come cheap, although most insurance policies will fund services needed to treat speech disorders.
• There's no substitute for learning and practice when it comes to the proper and effective use of language. Take every opportunity to speak, to practice and brush up on the correct pronunciation and enunciation provided to you by a professional.

• Every time the dentist adjusts your braces (or even dentures), you need to train yourself to talk and to eat properly. It may be quite painful at first, but remember not to go too far, lest you end up with a mouth injury.
• Most braces are used for orthodontic purposes, although some braces can be used as decorations. Braces are rather expensive, and you may need to take out a dental plan or cash in on dental insurance to pay for them.
• Kids and teenagers don't like to wear braces because they're often teased as “metal mouths” or “railroad faces.” The fact is that braces are still the best way to correct a lisp caused by misaligned teeth.

Assessing Your Speech Disorder

• Cleft lips and palates were a major cause of speech impediments until surgery became affordable. Now, children born with clefts can have reconstructive surgery and a multidisciplinary team of providers that help with feeding and speech and language development. [14] X Research source
• Malocclusion is when the teeth do not have the proper normal bite. Malocclusions are usually corrected through braces, although orthodontic surgery is necessary in some cases. Individuals with this condition may talk with a lisp, make a whistle sound when certain words are spoken, or mumble.
• Neurological disorders caused by accidents or brain and nerve tumors can cause a speech disorder called dysprosody. Dysprosody involves difficulty in expressing the tonal and emotional qualities of speech such as inflection and emphasis.

Expert Q&A

• Welcome good speech. Look forward to it, and accept and celebrate even little improvements. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Try to slow down and pronounce each word properly, as this can also help when trying to overcome a speech problem. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• See a Speech Pathologist who maintains their Certification of Clinical Competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association. These professionals are able to evaluate, diagnose and treat speech impairments. Nothing replaces sound medical advice from a specialist. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 14

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2018-10/Camperdown%20Program%20Treatment%20Guide%20June%202018.pdf
• ↑ Devin Fisher, CCC-SLP. Speech Language Pathologist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2021.
• ↑ https://www.stutteringhelp.org/sites/default/files/Migrate/Book_0012_tenth_ed.pdf
• ↑ http://www.coli.uni-saarland.de/~steiner/publications/ISSP2014.pdf
• ↑ https://sps.columbia.edu/news/five-ways-improve-your-body-language-during-speech
• ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/sight/speech_disorders.html#
• ↑ https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/stuttering
• ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001058.htm
• ↑ http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/CleftLip/
• ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/developmentaldisabilities/language-disorders.html
• ↑ https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=stuttering-90-P02290
• ↑ https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/development/language-development/stuttering

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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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Lisp & Vocalic R: How To Correct These in Speech Therapy

Correcting lisps and vocalic r can be stressful.

…But it doesn’t need to be. If you’re tearing your hair out, wondering how to correct a lisp or how to correct vocalic r , please don’t stress anymore! Chances are, if you’re a speech language pathologist , you’re going to encounter lisps or vocalic /r/ errors . I don’t want you to experience the level of frustration I used to feel in this area. I have an articulation therapy game plan for you. The reason I have a game plan is because I needed one! Trust me, I’ve BEEN THERE. I’ve experienced the lisp and vocalic r headache, and I desperately searched for answers until I found them. Please, keep reading!

Photo by  LUM3N  on  Unsplash

When Venita from the lovely Speechie Side Up Podcast reached out to me to ask if I’d be willing to share my favorite tips for SLPs about correcting vocalic /r/ , I was super excited! We ended up chatting about more than that: I shared my favorite ways to tackle correcting a lisp and all those pesky vocalic /r/ sounds, but ALSO went in to great detail about I work on grammar and syntax in a systematical way. You can catch the episode here , and I highly recommend subscribing.

to by  Kui Ye Chen  on  Unsplash

Correcting a Lisp

In case you missed it, I have a (free) video on TpT. In this video , I go into great detail about my exact approach (based on the phenomenal expertise/ research of Sandra Holtzman) for correcting a lisp. This is definitely a great one to bookmark.

It all started a few years ago, when I lucked out with the best Google search ever. I found out about Sandra Holtzman . She’s a Speech- Language Pathologist who is ALSO an orofacial myologist. I did some research on her website, then emailed her. I ended up taking her 28 hour continuing education course on orofacial myology . (This is NOT an affiliate link, I’m just sharing in case you are interested). Additionally, she has a “Myo Manual” on her website which you may find extremely helpful! Having a foundation in orofacial myology completely changed how I treated my lisp and vocalic /r/ students. It was a game changer for me.

Sandra shared her knowledge and experience with me, and the rest is history. I finally started seeing success with my students. It was amazing. I learned that patience is key . This isn’t something that’s going to take a few therapy sessions, and I want to really stress that.

To correct a lisp, I spend quite a bit of time establishing lingual positioning at rest . The tongue tip needs to be resting on the alveolar ridge. I explain this to my students as that “bumpy spot directly ABOVE the two front teeth”. The tongue shouldn’t be pushing against or through the teeth.

I also had never realized just how important it is to work on lingual coordination and strength before taking the OFM course. Think of it as a way to set the stage for success prior to beginning articulation therapy.

Once your student has mastered the required lingual movements, it’s time to focus on /s/ in isolation. The first approach is called the whispered /t/ . This approach is exactly what it sounds like: my students understand that the tongue tip should be resting against the alveolar ridge at rest. Now, we work on controlled, whispered /t/ sounds. My student whispers the “t” sound, while the tongue tip gently taps the alveolar ridge. It’s controlled: we’re not moving that chin all over the place, and the air flow is nice and “straight”.

Sandra then recommends moving from the whispered /t/ to the long /t/ . Your student graduates from the whispered /t/ by slowly adding a longer “stream” of controlled airflow to form the “long” /t/. The tongue tip remains on the alveolar ridge. It’s important that the chin stays still during production. You’ll understand why you spent so much time working on coordination, strength and lingual-mandibular differentiation when you get to the long /t/.

The next step? Use some co-articulation to get that /s/ . If your student can say the long /t/, try some final /ts/ words . Words like hats, bats, and cats are perfect. Then, pair those words with /s/ in the initial position . Try saying things like “cats say hi”. See how that final /ts/ leads into /s/? When I model it, I don’t move my lingual positioning: we go right from cats to say as if they are joined together.

Correcting Vocalic R

Once again, Sandra saves the day. If you’re in need of some CEUs , I highly recommend this ceu course (again, not an affiliate link, just sharing in case you’re interested). I’m writing up a post about it, but you can earn hours and get TONS of detail when you take the course.

I’ve been so obsessed with this method, that I discuss it in this vocalic r video . Follow it up with my vocalic /r/ packet and you’ll be all set.

Don’t forget to check for things like ankyloglossia. Also, can your student move his lips freely (labial frenulum, or a “lip tie”)? Labial movement is very important .

Lingual coordination and strength again plays a role. Lingual-mandibular differentiation is also so important. In order words…can your student move his tongue separately from his mandible? Can his articulators move independently from one another? Lingual exercises help improve lingual shaping, coordination, and speed.

Get obsessed with vocalic /er/ . I spend a looooong time here. It’s the starting point for success, and Sandra recommends that your student is able to say 100 perfect vocalic /er/ sounds in isolation before you move on to the next step. My favorite method to elicit this sound is to use a tongue depressor. I have my student smile with his teeth slightly apart. We gently lift the tongue up and back so it is touching the molars while we say “er”. You might have other ways to get this sound- do what works for you! I’m just sharing my “go to”. (Again… don’t expect this to take a few trials. I’ve spent up to TWO MONTHS here. Patience. Patience. Patience!)

Continue to be obsessed with vocalic /er/. Love it or hate it, this is really crucial. We spend time cycling through what I call “vocalic /er/ sandwiches”. We start with nonsense words and go through allllll the sounds/ blends. Sandra recommends starting with /h/. Your student will practice “erHer”, while NOT MOVING THE TONGUE, because you only need to breathe out that /h/. She then goes on to bilabials, etc. I spend an entire session on a focus area. That might mean 30 minutes of saying “erBer”. It’s important.

Annnnnnd yeah, more vocalic /er/ …. this time you’d use real words as you cycle through in the same order. ErBER changes to Novem…BER. See what you did there? Sandra= genius.

Vocalic /er/ can be used to shape alllll the other vocalic /r/ sounds . For example, /rl/ (as in girl) is really just… ER+ L.

I hope this helps to give you a starting point. I’ll say it one more time: please remember, that patience is key. IT IS COMPLETELY POSSIBLE TO CORRECT VOCALIC R AND LISPS . If I can do it, so can you!

Annnnd Grammar/ Syntax…

I didn’t want to majorly focus on grammar and syntax today, but feel free to read more of my thoughts in this post .

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If you are wondering whether you can fix your lisp as an adult, this blog is just for you. read about effective treatment options and score free tips..

C an you fix your lisp as an adult? We have been asked this question so much that we felt it was time to write a blog post about the topic.

If you have wondered whether it is too late to fix your lisp as an adult, this is the post for you!

You might have heard that the muscular pattern of your speaking is too established to be able to change as an adult. But don’t despair.

Because  yes – you really can fix your lisp as an adult!

This blog will take you through:

• The definition of a lisp (and it may surprise you),
• The prevalence of lisps in adults,
• All the good stuff about effective treatments for adults,
• We also want to address the stigmas that can be associated with lisps and advocate for you around this topic and phrases like ‘speech impediment’
• And finally, we will give you a few helpful tips – our favourite thing to do- so you can start getting ready for therapy if that is the path you want to take.

What is a Lisp? 🤔

When we think of a lisp, many people go straight to the “s” = “th” sound distortion.

This is probably due to how lisps are depicted in the movies and TV.

But a lisp is defined as difficulty pronouncing specific speech sounds and can involve a singular sound or many sounds (Bowen, 2014).  The “s” sound is not the only sound that can be affected.

What Causes My Lisp?

A lisp will occur due to incorrect tongue placement.

Your tongue can move in many directions so there are lots of variables that can create pronunciation mistakes by affecting air flow through the mouth. For example, sometimes the tongue protrudes between the front teeth, but there are also various other types of lisps.

It can be quite overwhelming if you’ve come across information on lateral, interdental and/or palatal lisps without guidance from a Speech Language Pathologist; part of our job is determining which affects you before offering you the relevant strategies.

How Many People Have Lisps?

Not many studies examine the prevalence of lisping, and those that do date back to the 1980’s.

Between 1-4% of adults have a residual lisp or speech error from childhood (Leske, 1981; Gillespie & Cooper, 1973; Culton, 1986).

Interestingly, one study found a high prevalence of lisping in native Dutch speakers, with equal prevalence across males and females (Van Borsel, Van Rentergem, & Verhaeghe, 2007).

The increase in higher prevalence may be due to changing cultural factors and speech patterns due to media figures, increase in tolerance towards speech distortions or that many people with a lisp have not received negative comments and so have not pursued intervention.

But all of these are just hypotheses, and more research is needed in the area.

What are the most common speech sound errors?

The most common speech errors that may continue to be present in adulthood include errors on the sounds:

• Liquids: l, r
• Fricatives: s, z, sh, th
• Affricates: ch, j/g

In English, mistakes on /s/ and /r/ are the most common errors among Adults (Veríssimo, Borsel, & de Britto Pereira, 2012).

Having a lisp is a very personalised story, and your narrative and experience are important to us!

Does having a lisp impact my communication abilities.

Absolutely not.

If you have a lisp, it does not mean there is a problem with your overall communication. In fact many people who have a lisp choose not to receive therapy for it.

Adult lisps rarely impact intelligibility.

They also don’t affect language, which is separate from the physical production of motor speech; the extended title of ‘Speech Language Pathologist’ is a nice reminder of how distinct those two domains are. 

All of this means that, if you want to fix your lisp, it’s important to consider  why it matters for you.

You may find that your lisp has no bearing on your social life or work commitments. 

However, while the pronunciation distortions are often mild, they can have a significant impact on the individual.

Some people can feel very insecure about their speaking and even receive negative reactions about their speech (Veríssimo et al., 2012). Others experience impacts on their social life and employment outcomes.

Lisping can be perceived negatively as an adult.

Some studies report that listeners can form a negative bias about intelligence, education and masculinity regarding the person who lisps (Van et al., 2007). 

We often hear from our clients that their lisp has impacted their career progression, dating life, and confidence.

Sadly, we have met lots of clients who feel “dumb” because they lisp.

Truly, this breaks our hearts as we know that intervention is valid, and no one should have to feel like this!

We are passionate about advocating for your communication, and a lisp does not affect intelligence or your ability to be an excellent communicator.

If you are questioning your speech or have tried a range of techniques to eradicate your lisp, it is time to  reach out to Voice Science  because

We  love  providing adults with the tools to achieve their communication goals and advocate for themselves! 

Stigma & Your Lisp

One of our biggest pet peeves is how lisps can be portrayed in the media. While these jokes may be funny to the general public, we imagine that for those with a lisp, this becomes a cringeworthy experience.

A dissertation by Lockenvitz (2016) found that stigma and your experience with a lisp is a very personalised journey. Public stigma was shown to reduce communication comfort. Many speakers with a lisp will use tactics such as word avoidance. This always leads to increased frustration or the feeling that you can’t express yourself freely.

You Can Control Your Speaking Confidence

You can control your narrative.

If you check out our video  Bust a lisp in less than 5 minutes! , you will see that many people with a lisp commented that one helpful strategy is to bring attention to your lisp by making a joke.

This strategy gives you power over the dialogue and how people may initially perceive your lisp.

Sometimes owning it can help prevent others from drawing attention to it.

It is also lovely to see the community come together to provide each other with support and helpful tips. So if you feel alone in this situation, head to the video over on our YouTube channel. 

However, and this is a big however , stigma does not affect everyone.

Some people are not bothered by their lisp, and this is completely OK.

Advocacy is a high priority for us as speech therapists, so we want to stress that we are not here to say that having a lisp is bad.

We are, however, here at your service to offer evidence-based treatment if you have decided you want to fix your lisp.

Get Detailed Assessment of Your Lisp

Find out what your speaking needs to fix your lisp

I am ready to see a speech pathologist but I don’t want to be treated like a child!

So much of the research on lisps has been conducted with children, with a large gap in the research for adults.

But at Voice Science,  we offer services exclusively to adults  and are thoroughly experienced in working with adults if you are wanting to fix your lisp.

You can be confident that when you share your story with your speech pathologist at Voice Science, not only are we experienced in working in this area, but we will individualise all treatment so that it is functional for your goals. 

Comparing adult versus child therapy for a lisp

The most significant difference between children and adults is that when working with adults, we provide information about the physiology and phonetic placement of the sounds.

We get straight to the point regarding your goals and work to give you a deep understanding of your target sounds and how they are produced.

We also consider how your lisp may have impacted on your social life and employment, so are equipped to provide evidence-based strategies around social communication and communication impact.

What should you consider when choosing a speech pathology clinic to fix your lisp?

✅ Experience working with lisps ✅ Engaging sessions that are individualised for you ✅ Intervention that is structured for adults

Hint hint… Voice Science ticks all the above boxes.

How does Lisp Treatement work?

We use the principles of motor learning to retrain your muscles to produce your target sounds. This involves…

If you have any questions, just let us know!

#1 We will show you your target versus substitution sound.

Contrasting the mouth position (phonetics) for how and where the sounds are produced in your mouth in an important step.

You will learn the skills to monitor your productions and self-correct where necessary so that you can work independently in the end.

#2 We will show you how to drill.

Your target sounds will be drilled in isolation, syllables, single words, carrier phrases and sentences. Your overall aim is to achieve high accuracy before moving to the next level.

#3 We will support you to transfer your sounds accurately to your everyday life.

Our focus is always on meaningful and contextual targets to ensure that your hard work and new target sounds carry over to spontaneous speech.

We will base tasks around your interests and employment situations so that you practice words and phrases of high frequency for YOUR particular circumstances.

#4 Creative Solutions

We will also show you how to utilise a range of technologies such as spectrograms to enhance your home practice and monitoring of particular sounds.

(Lipetz, & Bernhardt, 2013; Bauman-Wängler, 2004).

Your Unique Story!

Each person who has a lisp has a unique story to tell. At Voice Science, we understand the value of knowing the narrative of you, our client, and have the knowledge and experience to consider that there may be more to the lisp than just a lisp.

If you have ever considered seeking therapy for your lisp, there is no time like the present! We are here and more than happy to assist you to fix your lisp!

How many sessions will I need?

Having a lisp is such a personalised journey, and often there may be more to target than the goal to fix your lisp.

We have had clients that bust their lisp within one session and come back for another 1-2 to keep themselves accountable.

For other clients, it has been a longer journey with more sessions needed.

As an adult, motivation is the most significant key.

Many adults may notice quick results because they are incredibly motivated to change and are diligent with their home practice.

When it comes to the crunch, it is all about home practice.

Don’t worry – we have you covered here too! Our online learning management system, has been designed as a paperless resource to guide your practice so you can fix your lisp effectively.

So that as long as you have your phone handy, you can practise anytime, anywhere with age-appropriate content.

Learn Strategies for Clear Speaking and get a tailored blueprint to target your Lisp

PURCHASE NOW

Our Guarantee to You

Voice Science sessions are engaging, stimulating and a first-class experience for your communication. Since extensive planning and detail go into tailoring sessions for you, we do not extend any refunds on any of our services. We provide a top-tier service, if you are dissatisfied with anything we’ll work to make it right because we are committed to advocating for your communication comfort.

• Bauman-Wängler, J. A. (2004).  Articulatory and phonological impairments: A clinical focus . Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Bowen, C. (2014).  Children’s speech sound disorders . John Wiley & Sons.
• Culton, G. L. (1986). Speech disorders among college freshmen: A 13-year survey. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders ,  51 (1), 3-7.
• Gillespie, S. K., & Cooper, E. B. (1973). Prevalence of speech problems in junior and senior high schools. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research ,  16 (4), 739-743.
• Leske, M. C. (1981). Prevalence estimates of communicative disorders in the US Speech disorders. Asha ,  23 (3), 217.
• Lipetz, H. M., & Bernhardt, B. M. (2013). A multi-modal approach to intervention for one adolescent’s frontal lisp. Clinical linguistics & phonetics ,  27 (1), 1-17
• Lockenvitz, S. B. (2016). The Experience of Stigma in Adults Who Lisp . University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved from  https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/1937930412.html?FMT=ABS
• Van Borsel, J., Van Rentergem, S., & Verhaeghe, L. (2007). The prevalence of lisping in young adults. Journal of Communication Disorders ,  40 (6), 493-502.
• Veríssimo, A., van Borsel, J., & de Britto Pereira, M. (2012). Residual /s/ and /r/ distortions: The perspective of the speaker. International journal of speech-language pathology ,  14 (2), 183-186.

A Lisp can be Frustrating, But Good Therapy Is An Asset

Our Team are Passionate About Speech Therapy Strategies

What Causes A Lisp in Adults? Can Speech Therapy Help?

A lisp is when a person cannot pronounce /s/, /z/, /ts/, /dz/ and other sibilants correctly. These misarticulations may result in unclear speech.

Some experts refer to lisps as sigmatism.

Currently, there is no way to predict who will have a lisp growing up.  Between 1 and 4% of adults lisp at some point during their lives.

What Causes a Lisp in Adults?

Here are some factors that may cause a lisp –

When a short and tight band of tissue attaches the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth not allowing it to move as much as it should, it prevents the person from pronouncing the words correctly. Tongue-tie or ankyloglossia is typically present at birth. This condition may require a small surgery later in life.

Incorrect Jaw Alignment

The correct alignment of the jaw is crucial for its full range of movement. A person with incorrect jaw alignment may face problems articulating sibilant words. Some jaw alignment issues can be treated with early therapy, while others require minor surgical procedures.

Misaligned Teeth

Some children begin to lisp once their permanent teeth come out. If that's the case, you may want to speak to an orthodontist in addition to consulting a speech therapist. An overbite, open bite, or space between the teeth in the upper jaw may contribute to a lisp.

In most cases, children who lisp outgrow it on their own. Only a few continue lisping well into adulthood. Lisp is a speech impediment that makes the speaker difficult to understand. Therefore, many adults look for the treatment of lisps and wonder if speech therapy can help.

Is It Possible To Fix Your Lisp As An Adult?

Well, it absolutely is.

However, let us first tell you that there's nothing wrong with lisping. If you lisp and have no problems with it, that's great. If you do have a problem with the way you speak, that's alright too, because this article is for you!

Lisping does not imply a problem with overall communication. Lisping in adults hardly affects the intelligibility of speech.

Several individuals might perceive lisping in an adult negatively. Although, lisping isn't a representation of one's intelligence or communication skills.

If your lisp has a significant impact on your social life, employment, personal life, and self-esteem, then it may be a wise decision to work towards treating it.

Having a lisp isn’t bad! If you or your loved one(s) have no problems with having a lisp, then that’s perfectly alright too!

One of the primary concerns adult clients have is whether they will be treated like a child when they approach a speech-language pathologist (SLP) for lisp treatment.

The majority of the research on lisp has indeed been conducted on children. There is little published data on the effects and treatment of lisping in adults.

However, every experienced speech therapist should have the resources to treat lisping in adults. If you are looking for speech therapy for your lisp, you should always check if your therapist has the experience or knowledge of dealing with adult clients.

In the case of adult clients, a speech therapist will talk about the mechanism involved in producing speech sounds. They will explain the factors that cause lisping and how each exercise can help you overcome a lisp.

Your speech therapist should give you specific goals depending upon your current challenges and expectations.

At the same time, your therapist should consider how lisping has affected your personal and social life, employment, and self-esteem.

Lisp Treatment for Adults: How Does Speech Therapy Help? Let's find out.

Monitoring and Self-Correction

The speech therapist will show you how each sound is produced. You will learn the relative positions of your tongue, lips, soft palate, and jaws while working with the speech therapist.

Next, you will learn to monitor the pronunciations and self-correct whenever necessary.

Practicing Target Sounds

You will work on isolated sounds, mono-syllables, single words, and sentences with the speech therapist.

These levels aim to give you the highest possible accuracy before moving on to the next stage.

Transition to Everyday Situations

You will gradually learn how to transfer the target sounds to everyday conversations. That is the ultimate goal of lisp therapy! To be able to carry the perfected phonetics over to everyday life effortlessly.

In the case of adults, practice sentences and model conversations are typically based on their interests, hobbies, and employment situations. It is so that you can practice commonly occurring conversations and sentences almost regularly with the speech therapist and by yourself.

Utilization of Technologies

The speech therapist will show you how to utilize speech therapy applications and tools for improving your pronunciations.

Listening to the recording of your own voice and monitoring your progress will give you a fair idea of how far you are from achieving your goals.

How Long Will Lisping Treatment Take?

Speech therapy is not a one-time deal. You need to be patient and regular if you want to see improvement while using speech therapy for lisping treatment.

In most cases, a lisp arises when the individual is a child. So, the muscles in and around their mouth have been trained to move in a certain way while producing sibilant sounds.

Adults have the added advantage of understanding the sound production process. Speech therapy will give you the knowledge and resources to retrain your facial muscles. It will give you the ability to consciously manipulate your tongue, jaws, and lips to produce sounds correctly.

However, it all boils down to home practice. The more you practice, the less time you spend in the therapist's office!

You may also seek speech therapy online via a speech therapy app like Stamurai .

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How speech pathology can treat a lisp

A lisp is one of the most common speech problems we work with in speech pathology.

What is a lisp?

What causes lisps, speech sound development, physiological factors, there are four types of lisp: interdental, lateral, palatal and dentalised.”, what does a lisp look like, when to seek help.

Interdental lisps are common among children learning to talk. Both interdental and dentalised lisps can be a normal part of a child’s speech development, and resolve as the child matures. However, if you think your child has an interdental or dentalised lisp, and they are 4 ½ years of age or older, we recommend you contact us at Talkshop Speech Pathology.

In contrast to interdental and dentalised lisps, lateral and palatal lisps are not considered to be a normal part of a child’s speech development. If you think your child has a lateral or palatal lisp, and they are 4 years of age or older, we recommend you contact us at Talkshop Speech Pathology [5] .

Adults with Lisp

“interdental and dentalised lisps can be a normal part of a child’s speech development, and resolve as the child matures. lateral or palatal lisps are not part of normal speech development.”, how we can help.

Assessment for a lisp at Talkshop involves formal and informal speech sound assessment. In addition , we measure pre-literacy skills. Because research shows, a speech sound disorder places a child at risk for future literacy difficulties . Furthermore, assessment involves an oromotor assessment. This means reviewing the structure and function of your child’s lips, tongue, mouth, and jaw. Thereby ensuring that they have the physical ability to create clear speech sounds. Finally, we complete an informal assessment of your child’s language skills.

Lisp Therapy

Targeting lisps.

• visual cues (e.g. using gestures to represent speech sounds)
• verbal cues (e.g. modeling how the speech sound sounds, providing verbal instructions)
• tactile cues (e.g. showing the child where to place their lips/tongue/jaw).

Targeting Tongue Thrusts

Parent training, if you are unsure if your child has a lisp, book a free initial consultation to talk with one of our speech pathologists ..

Read more about how Talkshop Speech Pathology treats speech delays and speech disorders

“We always provide parent training within therapy sessions”

Our FREE Discovery Session is ideal for anyone with any questions relating to speech, stuttering, language, literacy, social skills, swallowing, and voice.

This is an opportunity for us to give some information on how to monitor your concern and give you advice on how to start self-managing any issues immediately.

Discovery Sessions can help you understand if an assessment or therapy is needed, how Speech Therapy would work, and if appropriate, help you book in.

1 “speech-language therapy – Caroline Bowen.” 23 Nov. 2011, https://www.speech-language-therapy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86:lisp . Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

2  “Tonsils, Adenoids, tongue tie | ENT Specialists.” http://entspecialists.com.au/services/tonsils-and-adenoids/ . Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

3  “The effects of adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy on speech and nasal ….” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15087574 . Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

4  “Effects of tonsillectomy on speech and voice. – Semantic Scholar.” https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Effects-of-tonsillectomy-on-speech-and-voice.-Mora-Jankowska/737d2d983e1f557b9def3cec9866f0d6d2b49df4 . Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

5  “Fact Sheets – Speech Pathology Australia.” https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Resources_for_the_Public/Fact_Sheets/Fact_Sheets.aspx . Accessed 14 Jan. 2019.

Additional Information

Speech Pathology Australia Fact Sheet: Speech sounds Lisp: When /s/ and /z/ are hard to say Speech Pathology Australia: Communication Milestones

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Rhotacism: A complete guide to this speech impediment

Remember when you were a child and spoke by making your “R’s” sound like “W’s” and everything thought it was cute? That’s known as rhotacism and some people live with it even as adults. What is rhotacism, what is it like in other languages, and what are its symptoms? What does it look like as a speech impediment and what are some examples? What are its causes? How does it affect the brain ? Is it curable and how can it be fixed? This article will answer all your doubts about rhotacism. 

What is rhotacism?

Rhotacism is a speech impediment that is defined by the lack of ability, or difficulty in, pronouncing the sound R . Some speech pathologists, those who work with speech impediments may call this impediment de-rhotacization because the sounds don’t become rhotic, rather they lose their rhotic quality. It could also be called a residual R error.

It’s not such an uncommon phenomenon and actually also happens with the letter L , a phenomenon known as lambdacism . Sometimes people mistake these speech impediments for a lisp, of which they are not. Within the 2000-2001 school year, more than 700,000 students within the American public school system were categorized as having either a language impediment or a speech impediment. Ironically, all three speech impediments contain the troubled letter within them.

The word rhotacism comes from the New Latin rhotacism meaning peculiar or excessive use of [r]. The Latin word came from Ancient Greek word rhōtakismós which means to incorrectly use “rho” which is the equivalent of the Greek R. For language nerds, here’s a really great explanation of how the word came into being.

How does rhotacism work in different languages?

Rhotacism is, in theory , more common among people whose native language has a trilled R. For example, in Spanish the “rr” is a trilled R. Other languages with a trilled R include Bulgarian, Hungarian, Arabic, Finnish, Romanian, Indonesian, Russian , Italian, and most Swedish speakers. Some people might mock Asians, specifically Chinese, for not being able to pronounce the English word “broccoli” correctly- rather pronouncing it “browccoli”. This isn’t due to a rhotacism, however. It’s actually due to the fact that Mandarin (Chinese) words can have an “r” sound in the beginning of a word, but not in the middle or end of a word. This leads them to have issues in their phonotactics and creates an inability to pronounce the English “R” in the middle of words.

The leader of Hezbollah, Hasan Nasrallah, is a Lebanese leader and is mocked for his rhotacism when he says, “ Amwīka ” and “ Iswā’īl ” for the Arabic Amrīka (America), and Isrā’īl (Israel). He is a native Arabic speaker- a language which has the trilled R. Notice how he puts a W sound in those two words where the R sound usually is.

Symptoms of rhotacism

• Some people try to hide their impediment by avoiding words with R ’s in them.
• An overall inability to say R sounds
• Using trilled R’s or guttural R’s (such as the French R) when trying to pronounce the regular English R.

Rhotacism as a speech impediment

Using a strict classification, only about 5%-10% of the human population speaks in a completely normal way. Everyone else suffers from some type of speech disorder or another. For children of any language, the R sounds are usually the hardest to master and often end up being the last ones a child learns. That’s why baby talk if you think about it, doesn’t really use explicit or strong R sounds. In English, rhotacism often comes off as a W sound which is why “Roger Rabbit” sounds like “Woger Wabbit”. R is often more difficult because a child has to learn the different combination of the /r/ sounds, not just the letter itself, unlike other letters. For example, when it comes before and after vowel sounds. The combination of a vowel with the /r/ sound is called a phenome and in English, there are eight combinations of these:

–        The prevocalic R , such as “rain”

–        The RL , such as “girl”

–        The IRE, such as “tire”

–        The AR, such as “car”

–        The EAR , “such as “beer”

–        The OR , such as “seashore”

–        The ER , such as “butter”

–        The AIR , such as “software”

A speech impediment is a speech disorder , not a language disorder . Speech disorders are problems in being able to produce the sounds of speech whereas language disorders are problems with understanding and/or being able to use words. Language disorders, unlike speech disorders, have nothing to do with speech production.

Often what happens is that the person speaking isn’t tensing their tongue enough, or not moving their tongue correctly (up and backward depending on the dialect) which makes the W or “uh” sound come out. It may also be that the person is moving their lips instead of their tongue.

Examples of rhotacism

• Barry Kripke from the TV show The Big Bang Theory has both rhotacism and lambdacism- meaning he has issues pronouncing both his R ’s and his L ’s.
• The most famous of rhotacism would be Elmer Fudd from Looney Tunes . He pronounces the word “rabbit” [ˈɹ̠ʷæbɪ̈t] as “wabbit” [ˈwæbɪ̈t]
• In Monty Python’s Life of Brian , the 1979 film’s character Pilate suffers from rhotacism. In the film, people mock him for his inability to be understood easily.

Here’s a video with a woman who suffers from rhotacism. She explains how difficult it can be to have the speech impediment.

Causes of rhotacism

For many people, the causes of rhotacism are relatively unknown-, especially in adults. However, scientists theorize that the biggest cause is that the person grew up in an environment where they heard R ’s in a weird way, the shape of their mouths are different than normal, or their tongues and lips never learned how to produce the letter. In children, this could happen because the parents or adults around think the way the child talks (using baby talk) is cute and the child never actually learns how to produce it.

For one internet forum user, it has to do with how they learned the language , “I speak various languages, I pronounce the “R” normal in Dutch, French, and Spanish, but I have a rhotacism when speaking English. It’s the way I learnt it.”

For other people, speech issues are a secondary condition to an already existing, serious condition. Physically, it would be a cleft lip or a cleft palate. Neurologically, it could be a condition such as cerebral palsy. It may also be a tongue tie . Almost everyone has a stretch of skin that runs along the bottom of their tongue. If that skin is too tight and reaches the tip of the tongue, it can make pronouncing (and learning how to pronounce) R ’s and L ’s difficult. If the tongue tie isn’t fixed early on, it can be incredibly difficult to fix and learn how to pronounce later.

How the brain affects rhotacism

The brain affects rhotacism only for those who suffer from it not due to a physical impediment (such as a cleft palate). For some, this could happen because the brain doesn’t have the phonemic awareness and never actually learned what the letter R is supposed to sound like. This is common with kids whose parents spoke to them in “baby talk” and encouraged the child’s baby talk, too. This kind of behavior only strengthens a child’s inner concept that / R / is pronounced like “w” or “uh”.

Another reason could be that the brain connections simply don’t allow the lips or mouth to move in the way they need to in order to pronounce the R . This inability has little to do with physical incapabilities and more to do with mental ones. Some people with rhotacism have an issue with their oral-motor skills which means that there isn’t sufficient communication in the parts of the brain responsible for speech production.

Treatment for rhotacism

Is rhotacism curable.

It can have negative social effects- especially among younger children, such as bullying, which lowers self-esteem and can have a lasting effect. However, if the impediment is caught early enough on and is treated rather quickly, there is a good overall prognosis meaning it’s curable.

        However, some people never end up being able to properly pronounce that R and they end up substituting other sounds, such as the velar approximant (like w sounds) , the uvular approximant (also known as the “French R ”), and the uvular trill ( like the trilled R in Spanish).

How to fix rhotacism

Rhotacism is fixed by speech therapy . Before anything else, there needs to be an assessment from a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who will help decide if the problem can be fixed. If a child is involved, the SLP would predict if the child can outgrow the problem or not. After the diagnosis, a speech therapist will work with the person who suffers from the speech impediment by possibly having weekly visits with some homework and practice instructions. Therapy happens in spouts- a period of a few weeks and a break. There is a follow-up to see if there has been an improvement in pronunciation. In the U.S., children who are in school and have a speech disorder are placed in a special education program. Most school districts provide these children with speech therapy during school hours.

Another option, often used alongside speech therapy, is using a speech therapy hand-held tool that helps isolate the sound being pronounced badly and gives an image of the proper tongue placement to enable better pronunciation.

One study tested a handheld tactical tool (known as Speech Buddies) and the traditional speech therapy methods. The study found that students who used the hand-held tool (alongside speech therapy) improved 33% faster than those who used only the traditional speech therapy methods.

Have you or someone you know ever struggled with rhotacism? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

• Category: Wellness
• Tag: language , Language Disorder

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