speech impediment lisp meaning

Types of Lisps: A Comprehensive Guide

Lisps, a speech impediment characterized by difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, can manifest in various forms, affecting children and adults. Understanding the different types of lisps is crucial to providing appropriate treatment and support for individuals struggling with speech clarity. This article will explore the common types of lisps, their causes, and how they can impact communication. By delving into these specific common speech errors and variations, we can better understand the challenges individuals with lisps face and how we can offer assistance.

Identifying the Four Main Types of Lisps

Lisps are speech impediments that disrupt the normal flow of air and tongue placement during speech, leading to misarticulation of sounds. These impediments are not just about the “s” and “z” sounds of speech delay but can affect various aspects of speech clarity and fluency. Recognizing the specific type of lisp is essential for tailored speech therapy interventions.

Interdental Lisps

Characterized by the tongue protruding between the front teeth during speech errors in the articulation of “s” and “z” sounds, an interdental lisp transforms these sounds into “th” sounds. This misplacement of the tongue directly impacts speech clarity, making it challenging for listeners to discern the intended consonants. The visual aspect of the tongue’s protrusion is also notable, often observed during speech, and can impact the speaker’s self-esteem and social interactions.

Dentalized Lisp

It occurs when the tongue is pressed too closely to the front teeth but does not extend past them, leading to a dampened or softened articulation of “s” and “z” sounds. This tongue position causes the sounds to be less sharp and more muffled, affecting the speaker’s ability to produce more crisp, clear consonants correctly. It’s a subtle deviation from normal speech patterns that can make understanding more difficult for listeners and may contribute to miscommunication.

Lateral Lisp

This most common type of lisp is distinguished by a “slushy” or “wet” sound produced when air escapes laterally, or sideways, from the tongue during the articulation of “s” and “z” sounds. The lateral air dispersion disrupts the normal flow of these sounds, leading to a distorted, unclear speech quality. The lateral lisp is particularly challenging to correct because it involves retraining the tongue’s muscle memory to direct airflow correctly.

Palatal Lisps

It involves incorrect tongue placement against or near the soft palate instead of the alveolar ridge, just behind the upper front teeth, where “s” and “z” sounds are typically formed. This incorrect positioning affects the acoustic properties of speech, resulting in a hollow or nasal quality that deviates significantly from the expected sounds. The palatal lisp can affect not only “s” and “z” sounds but also can alter the resonance of the tongue, raising the entire speech pattern, making it sound unusual and often difficult to understand.

The Interdental Lisp: Causes and Characteristics

The interdental lisp is a common speech impediment characterized by specific speech sounds made by the tongue protruding between the front teeth when articulating the “s” and “z” sounds, resulting in these sounds being perceived as “th.” This misplacement of the tongue directly hampers speech clarity, impacting both the speaker’s ability to communicate effectively and the listener’s ability to understand the speech.

Anatomical Factors

In many cases, the interdental lisp can be attributed to anatomical variances such as an oversized tongue or dental anomalies like missing teeth, which can alter the normal tongue placement and airflow necessary for clear speech production.

Habitual Causes

Persistent habits from childhood, such as thumb sucking or prolonged use of pacifiers, can contribute to the development of an interdental lisp by encouraging the tongue to rest and push forward between the teeth.

Neurological and Developmental Influences

Sometimes, the interdental lisp is linked to neurological or developmental conditions that affect muscle control and coordination, leading to difficulties achieving the correct tongue position for certain sounds.

Impact on Communication

The interdental lisp affects the clarity of speech, which can influence social interactions, confidence levels, and academic or professional opportunities for the individual. It can be particularly challenging in languages with a high prevalence of “s” and “z” sounds, making certain words or phrases more difficult to pronounce correctly.

The Lateral Lisp: Understanding Its Unique Challenges

The lateral lisp stands out among speech impediments due to its distinctive “slushy” or “wet” sound, occurring when air escapes over the sides of the tongue rather than directly through the middle during the articulation of “s” and “z” sounds. This unique airflow distortion affects not only the clarity z sound of these specific sounds but also the overall intelligibility of speech.

• Airflow Misdirection:  Central to the lateral lisp is the misdirection of airflow, which should normally flow over the center of the tongue for clear “s” and “z” sounds. In lateral lisps, the sides of the tongue allow air to escape, creating a sound that lacks the precision needed for these consonants.
• Speech Clarity Impact:  The lateral lisp’s effect on speech clarity can be significant, with the “slushy” quality of sounds making it difficult for listeners to distinguish between similar words and phrases, potentially leading to misunderstandings in communication.
• Origins and Contributing Factors:  Although the precise causes of a lateral lisp can vary, they often involve a combination of physical, developmental, and, sometimes, behavioral factors. Incorrect tongue positioning, neurological conditions affecting muscle control, and learned speech patterns can contribute to developing this lisp.
• Challenges in Correction:  Addressing a lateral lisp can be more challenging than other types due to its complex nature and the necessity for individuals to relearn the proper technique for airflow management during speech. Speech therapy plays a crucial role in this process, employing specific strategies and exercises to correct tongue placement and promote the correct airflow pathway.
• Personal and Social Implications:  Beyond the technical speech challenges, the lateral lisp can have personal and social implications for individuals, affecting self-esteem, social interactions, and academic or professional opportunities due to potential communication barriers.

The Palatal Lisp Symptoms

The palatal lisp is characterized by improper tongue placement against the hard or soft palate front, leading to distorted speech sounds. This type of lisp is recognized by its hallmark symptoms, affecting the clarity and resonance of speech, particularly for “s” and “z” sounds, which may sound muffled or hollow.

Hollow or Nasal Sound Quality

The most distinguishing symptom of a palatal lisp is the production of “s” and “z” sounds that have a hollow or nasal quality. This occurs because the tongue’s contact with the soft palate changes the normal airflow and resonance patterns during speech.

Misplaced Tongue Placement

Individuals with a palatal lisp often have difficulty positioning their tongue correctly during speech, leading it to touch or press against the soft palate instead of the hard palate. This incorrect placement significantly affects the production of certain sounds.

Challenges with Specific Sounds

The palatal lisp predominantly affects the production of “s” and “z” sounds but can also impact other sounds that require precise tongue placement and airflow control. The altered sounds can compromise speech intelligibility and clarity .

Speech Clarity and Intelligibility Issues

The symptoms of a palatal lisp can make it challenging for listeners to understand the affected individual clearly, potentially impacting communication in both personal and professional settings.

Potential Causes and Contributing Factors

A palatal lisp can result from various factors, including developmental delays, neurological conditions, or learned speech patterns. It is essential to identify these underlying causes to address the lisp effectively.

The Dentalized Lisp: How It Differs from Other Types

The dentalized lisp is a speech disorder characterized by the tongue pressing too closely against the front teeth during the production of “s” and “z” sounds, leading to speech that may sound muffled or unclear. This lisp differs significantly from others due to its specific tongue-teeth interaction and the subtle yet impactful effect on speech clarity.

Tongue Placement:  Central to the dentalized lisp is the specific placement of the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth, rather than protruding between them or misdirecting airflow laterally. This positioning creates a dampened version of “s” and “z” sounds.

Speech Clarity Impact:  Unlike the interdental lisp, where the tongue protrudes between the teeth, or the lateral lisp, characterized by air escaping over the sides of the tongue, the dentalized lisp’s primary impact is on the sharpness and clarity of speech rather than altering the sound to resemble another, such as “th.”

Identification and Diagnosis:  Recognizing a dentalized lisp involves carefully observing tongue movement and listening for the sibilant sounds’ distinctive, somewhat suppressed quality. Speech therapists utilize specific assessments to identify this lisp type and understand its impact on an individual’s speech.

Correction Strategies:  Corrective strategies for a dentalized lisp focus on retraining the tongue to maintain a slight gap from the front teeth, ensuring clearer articulation of “s” and “z” sounds. Speech therapy exercises are tailored to encourage proper tongue posture and strengthen the muscles for precise sound production.

Challenges and Considerations:  Addressing a dentalized lisp may require a multifaceted approach, especially if it’s part of a broader speech pattern or influenced by anatomical factors. Consistent practice and dental or orthodontic status adjustments can be part of the comprehensive treatment plan.

Strategies for Correction and Improvement: Therapy and Exercises

Overcoming lisps involves targeted strategies that blend professional speech therapy with specific exercises designed to correct tongue placement and improve a child’s speech clarity. This multifaceted approach focuses on retraining the muscles and habits responsible for lisping, offering individuals a clear path toward more articulate speech.

• Speech Therapy Sessions:  Engaging with a speech-language pathologist is fundamental for individuals with lisps. These professionals assess the type of lisp, identify underlying causes, and develop personalized therapy plans that address specific needs, providing guidance and support throughout the correction process.
• Tongue Positioning Exercises:  Exercises aimed at correcting tongue placement are central to therapy. For instance, pushing the tongue against a hard candy placed on the palate can train the tongue to retract from the teeth during speech, which is crucial for correcting interdental and dentalized lisps.
• Breath Control Techniques:  Proper airflow is essential for clear speech. Exercises focusing on controlling breath can help manage the airflow more effectively, reducing the chances of lateral lisping by ensuring air flows forward instead of sideways.
• Articulation Practice:  The repeated practice of troublesome sounds, often using phonetic placement methods to guide the tongue to the correct position, helps gradually reduce lisping. Mirror exercises can also be beneficial, allowing visual feedback for correct tongue and mouth positioning.
• Strengthening Oral Muscles:  Activities designed to strengthen the jaw, tongue, and lip muscles can improve speech clarity. Examples include blowing balloons to enhance breath control and using straws for drinking to promote muscle coordination.
• Consistent Practice:  Regular practice of exercises and speech patterns at home reinforces the progress made during therapy sessions. Consistency is key to making lasting changes in speech habits.
• Feedback and Monitoring:  Continuous feedback from the speech therapist, self-monitoring, and possibly recording speech for self-assessment can offer valuable insights into progress and areas needing further improvement.

In conclusion, several types of lisps and functional speech disorders can affect individuals of all ages. Identifying the specific type of lisp is important to provide appropriate treatment and support. By understanding the characteristics and causes of different types of lisps, individuals can work towards improving their speech and communication skills. If you or someone you know is struggling with a lisp, don’t hesitate to seek help from a speech therapist or healthcare professional. By addressing the issue early on, individuals can gain confidence and improve their overall quality of life.

Lisps: What They Are and How to Deal With Them – WebMD

https://www.webmd.com/children/what-is-a-lisp

Lisps – Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/help-for-families/resource-library-for-families/lisps/

Analysis of recursive types in Lisp-like languages | ACM SIGPLAN Lisp Pointers

https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/141478.141544

Common Lisp

https://lisp-lang.org/

LISP | Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning & Programming | Britannica

https://www.britannica.com/technology/LISP-computer-language

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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 Is a Lisp: Its Types, Treatment, and Therapy

In this article, you will know more about....

• the 4 main types of lisps,
• their causes and treatments, and
• the role of a speech therapist in helping those with lisps.

Definition and Different Types of Lisps

Lisping is a type of speech disorder where the speaker’s articulation of certain letters, such as “s” and “z”, is affected. It can range from mild to severe and can sound like a “th” sound instead of an “s” sound. There are four common types of lisps:

1. Interdental Lisp or Frontal Lisp An interdental lisp occurs when the tongue protrudes between the front teeth while speaking, resulting in a whistling sound when making certain sounds. It is most common in children, but can affect adults as well. Although the exact causes of this condition are unknown, it is believed to be due to genetics or anatomical differences in the mouth and tongue. Additionally, some medical conditions can also lead to an interdental lisp, such as cleft palate or jaw misalignment. Environmental factors can also play a role in developing an interdental lisp. For example, if a child finds themselves surrounded by peers who have similar speech patterns, they may acquire those patterns and start producing them in their own speech. Other environmental influences include hearing loss or exposure to foreign languages with different sounds than what is typically used in one’s native language.

2. Dentalized Lisp A dental lisp occurs when the tongue touches the front teeth when pronouncing the “s” and “z” sounds, resulting in a slushy or distorted sound. Instead of making these sounds in the back of the mouth, they are often articulated further forward in the mouth, creating a lisping sound. This type of lisp can be caused by a combination of genetics, language development issues, and physical anatomical differences. Those affected by this disorder may also find it difficult to produce proper lip closure during speech. Genetics may play a role in the development of this type of lisp due to anatomical differences in the mouth, such as a small tongue or underdeveloped jaw muscles. Additionally, language development issues during childhood can also have an impact on pronunciation. For instance, if a child does not receive sufficient exposure to certain sounds during early development, they may find it difficult to master their production later on. Another possible cause for a dentalized lisp is poor oral motor control. This means that someone might have difficulty coordinating their facial and tongue muscles when producing speech, resulting in articulation mistakes. Finally, individuals with conditions like cleft palate or cerebral palsy may also be more prone to this type of lisp due to physical limitations in their mouths.

3. Palatal Lisp A palatal lisp occurs when the middle of the tongue touches the roof of the mouth when pronouncing the “s” and “z” sounds, resulting in a distorted or whistling sound. Instead of producing a proper “s” sound, they produce a “sh” sound instead. This condition can be caused by an anatomical issue like tongue tie or it can be due to incorrect muscle memory and habits. The causes of a palatal lisp are varied, ranging from anatomical issues to incorrect muscle memory and habits. Anatomical issues can arise when the tongue is too short or thick, or if there is an abnormality in the way it moves. This can interfere with how air passes through the mouth, which then affects how words are formed. Incorrect muscle memory and habits can also be a cause of a palatal lisp. These occur when incorrect sounds become automatic responses. This type of lisp may be caused by an individual’s environment growing up or due to lack of speech practice and guidance in early childhood development. Additionally, certain medical conditions such as cerebral palsy may also contribute to the development of a palatal lisp. In children, this type of lisp may also be due to developmental delays that affect their ability to produce correct sounds correctly and consistently.

4. Lateral Lisp A lateral lisp occurs when air escapes through the sides of the mouth while speaking, causing a slushy or fuzzy sound. The causes of lateral lisp are not well understood. Some speculate that developmental delays or anatomical differences are to blame. For example, if the jaw muscles are underdeveloped, it may cause an individual to produce a lisp due to difficulties in proper facial coordination during speech. Additionally, exposure to certain speech patterns from peers or family members can also lead to the development of a lateral lisp. Finally, individuals who suffer from hearing loss or conditions like cleft palate may also be more prone to developing this type of lisp.

Treatment of Different Types of Lisps

If left untreated, lisps can lead to difficulty being understood or feelings of shame associated with speaking. A speech therapist can help those with a lisp learn how to enunciate properly and confidently communicate their thoughts and feelings in public settings.

Treatment should be tailored to the individual’s needs but typically include the following:

• activities designed to help patients become aware of their problem pronunciations
• practicing tongue placement, lip rounding, breath control exercises, vocal exercises (e.g. humming or singing), and other activities that focus on building muscle memory for proper pronunciation
• using technology such as voice-recording apps or computer programs that provide feedback on pronunciation accuracy
• homework assignments that involve drills or reading aloud passages
• involving family and friends for support and encouragement to help build confidence

When treating this disorder, it is important to practice frequently in order to strengthen the muscles used for speaking correctly. In addition to traditional therapy approaches, technology has begun to play a larger role in the treatment of lisps. Apps have been developed that allow users to practice speech exercises right at home. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct any underlying medical conditions associated with it.

With dedication and perseverance, individuals can learn how to reduce their lisping tendencies and regain control over their speech.

The Role of a Speech Therapist in Treatment

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) specializes in diagnosing and treating speech and language disorders. Speech therapists work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly, to help them overcome their challenges and improve their communication skills.

SLPs begin with a thorough assessment of the patient’s symptoms to determine the causes and course of action. Through personalized treatment plans tailored for each patient’s needs and continual support throughout the therapy process, SLPs can make a significant difference for those seeking help with their language abilities.

The same is true with the treatment of different types of lisps. With thorough attention from a qualified professional combined with the patient’s dedication and continual practice outside of therapy sessions, it is possible to reduce symptoms and regain control over one’s communication abilities.

Accurate production of speech is essential for clear and effective communication. Proper placement and positioning of the tongue, lips, and jaw are key to achieving the correct production.

If you or anyone you know are worried about symptoms of lisping, get in touch with one of our Speech-Language Pathologists to determine if speech therapy is needed.

Related Post:

Why Your Voice Cracks

How to pronounce the th sound (and how speech therapy helps), is depression a sign of dementia.

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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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Types of lisps, what lisps sound like, and how they're treated

As young children develop their speech and language skills, imperfections should be expected. Errors are often a part of typical development, and they're extremely common. 

Lisps are one of the most noticeable speech disorders that can happen during this period of development. People with a lisp often struggle to pronounce certain consonants, with the “s” and “z” sounds being some of the most common and challenging.

In many cases, lisps are just temporary bumps in the road on the path to language development, and over time they’re corrected naturally on their own. However, while a lisp might seem “cute” or “adorable” during a child’s toddler years, it can be concerning if the lisp persists as they get older. The number one question parents typically ask is “Will my child grow out of a lisp?” Many caregivers worry that their child’s lisp will continue into school-age and eventually adulthood, affecting their child’s confidence and self-esteem. 

Fortunately, there are effective treatments available. Plus, there are many ways caregivers can reinforce good communication habits at home to prevent a lisp from becoming more pronounced.

As with all speech and language challenges, educating yourself is the best way to make informed treatment decisions. For that reason, we’ve put together this informational guide to answer common questions about lisps, identify signs and symptoms, and explain how a lisp is typically evaluated, diagnosed, and treated. 

1 What is a lisp?

2 What causes lisps?

3 Is there a difference between a tongue thrust and a lisp?

4 How can a lisp affect a person's life?

5 How are lisps recognized and diagnosed?

6 How are lisps treated?

7 How do lisps affect adults?

8 How does Expressable assess and treat lisps?

9 How can parents help their child overcome a lisp?

What is a lisp?

Many of us know what a lisp sounds like. The most common form occurs when someone makes a “th” sound when trying to say an “s” or “z” sound. Lisps are caused because of the incorrect placement of a person’s tongue inside their mouth during speech. When a person lisps, their tongue usually touches, pushes against, or protrudes between their teeth.

There are actually four distinct types of lisps, with certain characteristics and tongue placement. While the differences may seem small, correct diagnosis is important when considering treatment. Here are the four types of lisps:

Palatal lisp: As the name suggests, this lisp is associated with a person’s soft palate, more commonly referred to as the roof of the mouth. When a person’s tongue rolls back and touches the roof of their mouth during speech, they often have difficulty making “s” and “z” sounds.

Lateral lisp: This happens when a person’s tongue remains in a close-to-normal position, but airflow manages to escape from one or both sides of their mouth. This is sometimes referred to as a “slushy lisp” because it can make the speaker’s words sound “wet” or “spitty.” What you’re hearing is a mix of air and saliva.

Dentalized lisp: With a dentalized lisp, a person’s tongue pushes against their front teeth, directing airflow forward. This commonly produces a “muffled” sound.

Interdental lisp: These are commonly referred to as frontal lisps. They happen when the tongue pushes forward or protrudes between the front teeth.

Lisps often become noticeable after the age of 2, when children begin developing their language abilities.

Both dentalized and interdental lisps are common and perfectly normal during a child's language development phase. Many children experience them until around 4½ years of age. While it’s always a good idea to talk with a qualified speech-language pathologist if you suspect your child has a lisp (more on that below), it’s especially important once your child is approaching age 5.

Conversely, lateral and palatal lisps do not happen as part of a child’s natural development. A child with this type of lisp should receive a professional evaluation from a speech-language pathologist as soon as possible. 

What causes lisps?

Lisps are caused by the incorrect placement of the tongue in the mouth. This can, in turn, obstruct air flow when speaking, and cause the distortion of how a person pronounces words and syllables. Lisps can be caused by a variety of factors, including: 

Learning to pronounce sounds and syllables incorrectly

Problems with a person’s jaw alignment

A tongue tie, which occurs when the tongue is attached to the bottom of the mouth and its movement is limited

A tongue thrust, where the tongue protrudes between a person’s teeth

Is there a difference between a tongue thrust and lisp?

Yes, there is a difference between a tongue thrust and lisp. However, the distinction can be hard to identify with an untrained eye and is best left to the clinical assessment of a speech-language pathologist, also known as a speech therapist.

A tongue thrust is technically referred to as an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD). It occurs when the tongue moves forward in a pronounced way when a person is either speaking or swallowing. The tongue may sit too far forward in the mouth, or push between a person’s teeth during speech and swallowing. Articulation errors can result from both tongue thrusts and lisps, affecting how the person produces sounds.

A person’s lisp can be a result of a tongue thrust. This is especially important to know because a tongue thrust can eventually cause significant dental issues if left untreated.

How can a lisp affect a person’s life?

Lisping often doesn’t have a severe impact on a person’s ability to be understood. However, a lisp can still have effects on a person’s social and emotional wellbeing. 

Some caregivers fear their child could be teased by their peers. Children may also feel anxious or uncomfortable when speaking with other people, which can affect their confidence, self-esteem, and ability to socialize with others. 

For adults, these effects can be worse. They may feel frustration or embarrassment in the workplace, and try to avoid certain social situations altogether. 

While lisps affect everyone differently, there are things that caregivers and adults can do to minimize the impact of lisps and regain normal speech. 

How are lisps recognized and diagnosed?

In most cases, your pediatrician, school nurse, or teacher may refer you to a speech therapist. Speech therapists are communication experts and are the most qualified professionals to assess, evaluate, and treat children and adults with lisps.

As mentioned, there are different types of lisps of varying severities that can impact your child’s speech. That’s why if you suspect your child has a lisp, it’s a good idea to be proactive and seek an evaluation from a speech therapist. To assess your child’s speech patterns, your speech therapist may: 

Review your child’s medical history

Examine the anatomy of their mouth and tongue placement

Check for issues like a tongue tie or tongue thrust

Observe your child’s speech fluency, their vocal quality, and their social communication skills

Determine whether your child has a lisp or a different type of speech sound disorder

Provide a professional opinion of when to start intervention; for example, the speech therapist may recommend delaying treatment and closely monitoring your child to see if the lisp naturally disappears over time

How are lisps treated?

Habits become harder to break over time. Therefore, the earlier treatment is provided, the more quickly a lisp can be corrected and your child’s overall communication will improve. 

Once your speech therapist assesses your child’s speech, identifies the type of lisp they have, and recognizes which sounds they’re mispronouncing, they’ll develop a tailored treatment plan to help your child reach their communication goals. This plan will often include helping your child:

Increase their awareness of where they’re placing their tongue when speaking

Hear and recognize the difference between correct and incorrect pronunciation of sounds and syllables

Correctly make the target sounds they’re struggling to pronounce

Correctly pronounce more complex language, such as consonant and vowel combinations, structured and spontaneous sentences, and more

Practice using these correct pronunciations in real-life settings outside of therapy sessions

Every child is different, and the frequency and intensity of treatment will shift depending on their needs. While some children can see considerable improvement in a month or two, others will need intervention for a year or more. Factors that can affect the length of treatment include your child’s age, type of lisp, awareness of mispronunciations and ability to self-correct, how well they follow directions, and how often they practice at home. 

How do lisps affect adults?

First things first: It’s never too late to correct a lisp. 

Many adults have a lisp that was never properly treated in their younger years. They may have feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or low self-esteem, and want to improve their communication to feel more confident when speaking in their daily lives and workplace. 

However, it’s also important to note that not all adults want to "fix" or get rid of their lisp--and that’s perfectly OK! Often, these adults have accepted their speech the way it is. It's become part of their unique image and persona.

Assessing and treating lisps is largely similar in both children and adults, beginning with seeking professional help from a speech therapist. The only added challenge with adults is finding someone you can practice with on your own time. Whether this is a spouse, family member, or friend, it’s important to have someone you trust provide honest feedback and encouragement so you can continue to improve on your own time, outside of therapy sessions.

How does Expressable assess and treat lisps?

Expressable matches families with a certified speech therapist trained to evaluate and treat speech impediments like lisps. All therapy is delivered online via face-to-face video conferencing.

The client’s age and development will influence how the speech therapist interacts with them through these video sessions:

Ages 0-3: Caregivers attend sessions and work directly with their child's speech therapist to learn cues and at-home strategies. This way they can confidently practice with their child outside the sessions and help improve their child's communication. 

Ages 3-6: Caregivers attend video sessions alongside their child so they both learn valuable skills from their speech therapist. Reinforcing these lessons outside the session will continue to promote at-home skill building.

Ages 7 and up: Most children attend video sessions independently, but parents are kept in the loop with updates and tips during each session.

Adults: Adults attend sessions by themselves, but they are welcome to bring loved ones or family members as well.

Your Expressable speech therapist will introduce a variety of techniques to improve a lisp. Different types of cues and techniques will work for different people. 

As the client learns to make the target sounds and becomes more independent in their sound productions, the speech therapist will decrease the amount of help provided. This increases the client’s independence in their speech sound productions, which is the whole goal of speech therapy. 

As your independence grows, your speech therapist will also increase the complexity of tasks you’re working on. For example, at the beginning of therapy you may work on the /s/ sound by itself, not in words. Over time, you will likely move on to practicing /s/ in sentences and conversation. 

Your speech therapist will work closely with you every step of the way. In addition, all Expressable clients have access to our client portal , which features educational Learning Paths covering the strategies taught in therapy sessions. You can access examples, tips, demo videos, quizzes, and more. Plus, through the portal, you'll receive weekly home practice activities tailored to your needs. The more you practice speech therapy techniques at home, between sessions, the faster you'll make progress!

How can parents help their child overcome a lisp?

As with all speech impediments, having your child practice once or twice a week with a speech therapist simply isn’t enough. Overcoming old habits takes constant reinforcement outside of these sessions. When caregivers are actively involved in their child’s speech development, and they reinforce at home what their child is learning in speech therapy, children make more progress. 

While your speech therapist will provide personalized recommendations for at-home practice, here are a few tips and techniques you can start using immediately to help prevent a lisp from becoming more pronounced. 

Model correct speech: Children are sponges. They pick up speech habits by watching and interacting with people they love--namely, their family. So it’s important to “model” correct speech every day when speaking with your child. Make sure that you speak slowly, clearly, and with correct pronunciation. In addition, maintain eye contact with your child, even if you have to kneel down to get on their level, so they can see how your mouth moves and how you form sounds.

Use a mirror: Position your child in front of a mirror so each of you can practice pronouncing the “s” and “z” sounds. Watch how your teeth and mouth move when properly pronouncing these sounds, and encourage your child to imitate these correct mouth movements. This is helpful for all children, but in particular for those who are more visual learners.

Try the butterfly technique: This is a common technique used in speech therapy that can be easily practiced at home. To do this, prolong the letter “i” when you say words like “chin” or “win.” Take notice of how the sides of your tongue slightly raise upward like a butterfly’s wings. When pronouncing the “s” and “z” sounds, our tongue should ideally be in the same position. The goal of this exercise is to help prevent the tip of your child’s tongue from protruding past their teeth.

Drink from a straw: For children with dentalized and interdental lisps in particular, it can be especially helpful to use a straw when drinking. Straws naturally force the tongue to pull back into our mouths, which can help increase oral-motor strength. If you’re not a big fan of wasting so much plastic, spend a few dollars on a reusable, eco-friendly metal straw that can be easily washed.

Try to stop thumb-sucking: While thumb-sucking is a natural instinct, it can actually lead to lisping or make it worse. This is because thumb-sucking can cause the teeth to shift and create space for the tongue to protrude forward. Instead, try to find a comforting replacement that your child loves, such as a toy or blanket.

Watch learning jump (leap! spring! hop!) from your sessions into the real world.

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Overcoming Speech Impediment: Symptoms to Treatment

There are many causes and solutions for impaired speech

• Types and Symptoms
• Speech Therapy
• Building Confidence

Speech impediments are conditions that can cause a variety of symptoms, such as an inability to understand language or speak with a stable sense of tone, speed, or fluidity. There are many different types of speech impediments, and they can begin during childhood or develop during adulthood.

Common causes include physical trauma, neurological disorders, or anxiety. If you or your child is experiencing signs of a speech impediment, you need to know that these conditions can be diagnosed and treated with professional speech therapy.

This article will discuss what you can do if you are concerned about a speech impediment and what you can expect during your diagnostic process and therapy.

FG Trade / Getty Images

Types and Symptoms of Speech Impediment

People can have speech problems due to developmental conditions that begin to show symptoms during early childhood or as a result of conditions that may occur during adulthood. 

The main classifications of speech impairment are aphasia (difficulty understanding or producing the correct words or phrases) or dysarthria (difficulty enunciating words).

Often, speech problems can be part of neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders that also cause other symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or autism spectrum disorder .

There are several different symptoms of speech impediments, and you may experience one or more.

Can Symptoms Worsen?

Most speech disorders cause persistent symptoms and can temporarily get worse when you are tired, anxious, or sick.

Symptoms of dysarthria can include:

• Slurred speech
• Slow speech
• Choppy speech
• Hesitant speech
• Inability to control the volume of your speech
• Shaking or tremulous speech pattern
• Inability to pronounce certain sounds

Symptoms of aphasia may involve:

• Speech apraxia (difficulty coordinating speech)
• Difficulty understanding the meaning of what other people are saying
• Inability to use the correct words
• Inability to repeat words or phases
• Speech that has an irregular rhythm

You can have one or more of these speech patterns as part of your speech impediment, and their combination and frequency will help determine the type and cause of your speech problem.

Causes of Speech Impediment

The conditions that cause speech impediments can include developmental problems that are present from birth, neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease , or sudden neurological events, such as a stroke .

Some people can also experience temporary speech impairment due to anxiety, intoxication, medication side effects, postictal state (the time immediately after a seizure), or a change of consciousness.

Speech Impairment in Children

Children can have speech disorders associated with neurodevelopmental problems, which can interfere with speech development. Some childhood neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders may cause a regression (backsliding) of speech skills.

Common causes of childhood speech impediments include:

• Autism spectrum disorder : A neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social and interactive development
• Cerebral palsy :  A congenital (from birth) disorder that affects learning and control of physical movement
• Hearing loss : Can affect the way children hear and imitate speech
• Rett syndrome : A genetic neurodevelopmental condition that causes regression of physical and social skills beginning during the early school-age years.
• Adrenoleukodystrophy : A genetic disorder that causes a decline in motor and cognitive skills beginning during early childhood
• Childhood metabolic disorders : A group of conditions that affects the way children break down nutrients, often resulting in toxic damage to organs
• Brain tumor : A growth that may damage areas of the brain, including those that control speech or language
• Encephalitis : Brain inflammation or infection that may affect the way regions in the brain function
• Hydrocephalus : Excess fluid within the skull, which may develop after brain surgery and can cause brain damage

Do Childhood Speech Disorders Persist?

Speech disorders during childhood can have persistent effects throughout life. Therapy can often help improve speech skills.

Speech Impairment in Adulthood

Adult speech disorders develop due to conditions that damage the speech areas of the brain.

Common causes of adult speech impairment include:

• Head trauma 
• Nerve injury
• Throat tumor
• Stroke 
• Parkinson’s disease 
• Essential tremor
• Brain tumor
• Brain infection

Additionally, people may develop changes in speech with advancing age, even without a specific neurological cause. This can happen due to presbyphonia , which is a change in the volume and control of speech due to declining hormone levels and reduced elasticity and movement of the vocal cords.

Do Speech Disorders Resolve on Their Own?

Children and adults who have persistent speech disorders are unlikely to experience spontaneous improvement without therapy and should seek professional attention.

Steps to Treating Speech Impediment 

If you or your child has a speech impediment, your healthcare providers will work to diagnose the type of speech impediment as well as the underlying condition that caused it. Defining the cause and type of speech impediment will help determine your prognosis and treatment plan.

Sometimes the cause is known before symptoms begin, as is the case with trauma or MS. Impaired speech may first be a symptom of a condition, such as a stroke that causes aphasia as the primary symptom.

The diagnosis will include a comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and a thorough evaluation of speech and language. Diagnostic testing is directed by the medical history and clinical evaluation.

Diagnostic testing may include:

• Brain imaging , such as brain computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic residence imaging (MRI), if there’s concern about a disease process in the brain
• Swallowing evaluation if there’s concern about dysfunction of the muscles in the throat
• Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (aka nerve conduction velocity, or NCV) if there’s concern about nerve and muscle damage
• Blood tests, which can help in diagnosing inflammatory disorders or infections

Your diagnostic tests will help pinpoint the cause of your speech problem. Your treatment will include specific therapy to help improve your speech, as well as medication or other interventions to treat the underlying disorder.

For example, if you are diagnosed with MS, you would likely receive disease-modifying therapy to help prevent MS progression. And if you are diagnosed with a brain tumor, you may need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation to treat the tumor.

Therapy to Address Speech Impediment

Therapy for speech impairment is interactive and directed by a specialist who is experienced in treating speech problems . Sometimes, children receive speech therapy as part of a specialized learning program at school.

The duration and frequency of your speech therapy program depend on the underlying cause of your impediment, your improvement, and approval from your health insurance.

If you or your child has a serious speech problem, you may qualify for speech therapy. Working with your therapist can help you build confidence, particularly as you begin to see improvement.

Exercises during speech therapy may include:

• Pronouncing individual sounds, such as la la la or da da da
• Practicing pronunciation of words that you have trouble pronouncing
• Adjusting the rate or volume of your speech
• Mouth exercises
• Practicing language skills by naming objects or repeating what the therapist is saying

These therapies are meant to help achieve more fluent and understandable speech as well as an increased comfort level with speech and language.

Building Confidence With Speech Problems 

Some types of speech impairment might not qualify for therapy. If you have speech difficulties due to anxiety or a social phobia or if you don’t have access to therapy, you might benefit from activities that can help you practice your speech. 

You might consider one or more of the following for you or your child:

• Joining a local theater group
• Volunteering in a school or community activity that involves interaction with the public
• Signing up for a class that requires a significant amount of class participation
• Joining a support group for people who have problems with speech

Activities that you do on your own to improve your confidence with speaking can be most beneficial when you are in a non-judgmental and safe space.

Many different types of speech problems can affect children and adults. Some of these are congenital (present from birth), while others are acquired due to health conditions, medication side effects, substances, or mood and anxiety disorders. Because there are so many different types of speech problems, seeking a medical diagnosis so you can get the right therapy for your specific disorder is crucial.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Language and speech disorders in children .

Han C, Tang J, Tang B, et al. The effectiveness and safety of noninvasive brain stimulation technology combined with speech training on aphasia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis . Medicine (Baltimore). 2024;103(2):e36880. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036880

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Quick statistics about voice, speech, language .

Mackey J, McCulloch H, Scheiner G, et al. Speech pathologists' perspectives on the use of augmentative and alternative communication devices with people with acquired brain injury and reflections from lived experience . Brain Impair. 2023;24(2):168-184. doi:10.1017/BrImp.2023.9

Allison KM, Doherty KM. Relation of speech-language profile and communication modality to participation of children with cerebral palsy . Am J Speech Lang Pathol . 2024:1-11. doi:10.1044/2023_AJSLP-23-00267

Saccente-Kennedy B, Gillies F, Desjardins M, et al. A systematic review of speech-language pathology interventions for presbyphonia using the rehabilitation treatment specification system . J Voice. 2024:S0892-1997(23)00396-X. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.12.010

By Heidi Moawad, MD Dr. Moawad is a neurologist and expert in brain health. She regularly writes and edits health content for medical books and publications.

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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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!

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What Causes Lisping?

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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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Dealing with Lisp Speech :Know its types and Treatments

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Having clear speech is an important part of being a confident speaker. Speech problems like lisp can significantly impact an individual's confidence and social interactions. Lisp speech can stem from various factors, including physical anomalies, neurological disorders and psychological factors. Understanding these problems is the first step towards effective solutions.

In this article, we shall talk about one of the most common speech problems- Lisp, its causes, types and treatment options. Stay tuned to the end of the blog to find out a way to permanently get rid of lisp in a non-invasive and convenient manner.

What is a Lisp?

A lisp is a speech abnormality where the individual finds it difficult to pronounce 's' and 'z' sounds, leading to unclear or distorted speech. This common speech issue can happen to anyone and can influence personal and professional interactions. Let us dive deeper into the subject and understand its causes, types and possible treatment methods.

Causes of Lisp Speech

- Developmental Issues

As children develop speech skills, they may temporarily exhibit a lisp. This is a normal part of speech development. However, if the lisp speech continues to hamper one’s communication beyond the age where speech typically stabilises (usually around the age of 4-5 years), it may reflect the need for professional help.

- Neurological Disorders

Various neurological conditions can impact the muscles and nerves involved in speech, leading to a lisp. Disorders such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury or stroke can affect the control of the tongue and mouth.

- Hearing Impairments

A person who experiences hearing loss or impairments may be unable to hear certain sounds and hence find it difficult to pronounce them.

- Psychological Factors

In some cases, a lisp can be psychogenic, meaning it originates from psychological factors. Stress, anxiety or traumatic events can sometimes manifest in speech disorders like lisping, especially in adults.

Types of Lisps

- Interdental Lisp

This is one of the most common types of Lisp speech. In an interdental lisp, the tongue protrudes between the front teeth when attempting to produce the 's' and 'z' sounds, causing them to sound more like 'th'.

- Dentalised Lisp

When the tongue presses against the front teeth while pronouncing ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds, it can be termed a dentalised lisp. This contact of teeth and tongue disturbs the airflow leading to a muffled or unclear pronunciation.

- Lateral Lisp

A lateral lisp is more complex and often considered one of the harder types to treat. In this case, the air flows over the sides of the tongue rather than directly through the middle of the mouth when making 's' and 'z' sounds. This creates a wet, slushy sound and can significantly affect speech clarity.

- Palatal Lisp

In a palatal lisp, the mid-section of the tongue comes in contact with the soft palate, or the roof of the mouth, far behind the teeth, while producing 's' and 'z' sounds. This unusual tongue placement alters the sound, often making it more muffled and less distinct.

Impact of Lisp on Communication

Having unclear speech can hinder clear communication. This can make the individual under confident in social, professional and even personal interactions. It can lead to self-consciousness, social anxiety, stage fright and impact one's overall quality of life.

Age Factor in Lisp Correction

While lisp speech can be corrected at any age, early intervention is key in correcting a lisp. While it is easier to treat in children due to their developing speech patterns, adults can also effectively address a lisp with proper therapy and dedication.

Orthodontic and Dental Solutions For Lisp

Orthodontic treatments like braces or aligners can rectify teeth alignment issues that contribute to a lisp. makeO toothsi offers clear aligners that can not only help correct lisps-associated issues but also provide you with perfectly straight and aligned teeth. You can find permanent solutions to issues like crossbite, overbite, misaligned teeth, crowded teeth or teeth crowding from the comfort of your home. The best part? These aligners are virtually invisible and impose no dietary restrictions. Head to makeO toothsi’s website to know all about how clear aligners work.

Understanding and addressing a lisp can be life-changing for effective communication and self-confidence. You can connect with makeO toothsi professionals and determine whether aligners are right for you or not. By addressing this speech impediment under expert supervision, individuals can significantly improve their communication skills and overall quality of life.

What is lisp speech?

A lisp is a speech disorder where 's' and 'z' sounds are misarticulated, affecting the clarity of speech.

What are the common causes of a lisp?

Lisp speech can be commonly caused by developmental issues, neurological disorders, physical anomalies in the mouth, hearing impairments or psychological factors.

How many types of lisps are there?

There are four main types: interdental, decentralised, lateral and palatal lisps.

Can lisps be treated in adults?

Yes, with proper speech therapy and, if needed, dental or orthodontic interventions, lisps can be effectively treated in adults.

How do dental solutions help in correcting a lisp?

Dental solutions like makeO toothsi clear aligners can rectify structural issues in the mouth that contribute to a lisp, improving speech clarity.

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Meaning of lisp in English

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• speech and language therapist
• speech and language therapy
• speech impediment
• stammeringly
• stutteringly
• He hopes the expensive makeover will cure his lisp.
• I was born deaf in one ear , but my school never picked up on it and I developed a really bad lisp.
• "I say!" he shouted , forgetting his lisp in his excitement .
• abandonware
• ad blocking
• facial recognition
• facial recognition software
• factory setting
• feature-limited
• sideloading
• social game
• source code
• spam filter
• word processor

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