A lisp may seem like a small quirk in speech, but for many people, it can affect confidence, communication, and even professional opportunities. Whether you or your child struggle with a lisp, the good news is that speech therapy can help—at any age!
What Is a Lisp?
A lisp is a speech sound disorder that affects the pronunciation of certain sounds, most commonly the “s”, “z”, “sh”, and “ch” sounds. There are different types of lisps, including:
- Interdental (frontal) lisp – When the tongue pushes between the front teeth, making “s” and “z” sound more like “th.”
- Lateral lisp – When air escapes from the sides of the tongue, creating a “slushy” or “wet” sound.
Lisps are common in young children, but if they persist beyond early childhood, they may require therapy to correct.
Why Do Lisps Happen?
Lisps can develop for a variety of reasons, including:
- Learned speech patterns
- Oral muscle weakness
- Structural differences in the mouth
- Tongue thrust (where the tongue pushes forward during swallowing and speech)
Because lisps often become a habit, they typically don’t go away on their own without targeted intervention.
Can a Lisp Be Treated in Adulthood?
Absolutely! Many people believe that lisps can only be corrected in childhood, but this is a myth. The brain remains capable of learning new speech patterns at any age. While it may take more time for adults to change deeply ingrained speech habits, speech therapy provides the structured exercises and expert guidance needed to correct a lisp successfully.
How Can Speech Therapy Help?
Speech therapy for lisps focuses on retraining the tongue’s movement and placement to produce clear and accurate sounds. Therapy typically includes:
- Tongue placement training – Learning where the tongue should be when producing sounds.
- Speech sound exercises – Practicing correct pronunciation of “s”, “z”, “ch”, and “sh” in words, sentences, and conversation.
- Oral motor exercises – Strengthening the muscles used in speech if weakness is contributing to the lisp.
- Carryover techniques – Helping clients use correct pronunciation in everyday conversations.
Why Seek Therapy?
People seek speech therapy for lisps for many reasons, including:
- Improved clarity – Making speech easier to understand.
- Increased confidence – Feeling more comfortable speaking in social or professional settings.
- Better professional opportunities – Enhancing communication skills for job interviews, public speaking, or customer-facing roles.
Get Started with Speech Therapy Today
If you or your child have a lisp and are ready to make a change, Back Bay Speech & Occupational Therapy is here to help. Our experienced speech therapists provide personalized treatment plans designed to help you gain clearer, more confident speech—no matter your age.
It’s never too late to work on your speech. Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and take the first step toward clearer communication!
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