Speech and Language Therapy for a Lisp

 

What is a Lisp?

Many people associate a lisp with being when /s/ and /z/ are hard to say. A lisp is also known as a functional speech disorder. This is simply difficulty learning to make a specific speech sound, or a few specific speech sounds. The term ‘functional’ means that the cause of the difficulty is not known. People who lisp, may have also learned to say a sound, or sounds, the wrong way, and the incorrect pronunciation has become a habit. A lisp may persist into adolescence and adulthood. They can be treated successfully in both children and adults who are willing to engage in the therapeutic process.

Are all lisps the same?

No. There are four different types of lisp: an interdental lisp, a dentalised lisp, a lateral lisp and a palatal lisp.

Interdental (frontal) lisp

If you have an interdental lisp the tongue protrudes between the front teeth and the air-flow is directed forwards. The /s/ and /z/ sound like ‘th’.

Words such as ‘soup’ are pronounced ‘thoop’. The ‘th’ sound that occurs in a word like ‘thing’ (or a sound very much like it) replaces the /s/.

Words like ‘zoo’ are pronounced ‘thoo’. The ‘th’ sound that occurs in a word like ‘them’ (or a sound very much like it) replaces the /z/.

Children developing speech along typical lines may have interdental lisps until they are about 4½ – after which they disappear. If they don’t a speech therapy assessment is indicated.

 

‘Dentalised lisp’

Dentalised lisp’ is not an ‘official’ diagnostic term. It describes the way an individual produces speech sounds when the tongue rests on, or pushes against, the front teeth. This results in the air-flow being directed forwards, producing a slightly muffled sound.

Typically developing children (in terms of their speech) may have a dentalised lisp until around 4½ years – and then grow out of it. If they don’t grow out of it, a speech therapy assessment is indicated.

Lateral lisp

Lateral lisps are not found in typical speech development. The sound is made with the air-flow directed over the sides of the tongue.

Because of the way it sounds, this sort of lisp is sometimes referred to as a ‘slushy ess’. A lateral lisp frequently sounds ‘wet’ or ‘spitty’.Lateral lisps are not characteristic of normal development. A speech therapy assessment is indicated for anyone with a lateral lisp.

 

Palatal lisp

Palatal lisps are not found in typical speech development. Here, the mid-section of the tongue comes in contact with the soft palate. If you try to produce a ‘h’ closely followed by a ‘y’, and prolong it, you more or less have the sound.

Palatal lisps are not characteristic of normal development. A speech therapy assessment is indicated for anyone with a palatal lisp.

Can a lisp co-exist with another speech or language difficulty?

Yes. It is possible for a person with a lisp to have a co-occurring communication difficulty e.g. language processing difficulties, a stutter or autism.

If you or your child has a lisp, ITS can help.

If you or your your family member has a lisp which impacts on his/her speech or communication skills, ITS can help.We would be happy to provide you with an assessment and therapy program relevant to yours or your child’s needs.All therapy programs are client-centered and negotiated with family prior to implementation.

 

How can I contact ITS?

Telephone: 0845 838 291.We are happy to provide a complimentary telephone consultation.Email:info@integratedtreatments.co.uk

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Victoria Taylor 25/10/2013

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services.I.T.S is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire, East Midlands and Southern England. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Psychotherapists

 


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