14/01/2026
A lisp is a common speech impediment where a person has
difficulty pronouncing ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds, often making them sound slushy , wet, or like a ‘th’ sound, due to incorrect tongue placement (like poking out between the teeth) when forming these sounds.
Common Causes
• Tongue Placement: The tongue might stick out between or in front of the teeth instead of resting behind them.
• Oral Muscle Weakness: Muscles in the tongue or mouth might not be strong enough.
• Learned Habit: A child might simply learn to make the sound differently.
• Physical Factors: In some cases, a tongue-tie (frenulum) or dental issues can contribute.
• Habitual Pacifier/Thumb Use: Prolonged use may affect muscle development.
Therapy Techniques
Tongue Placement: SLPs teach precise tongue positioning, often behind the front teeth, for /s/ and /z/ sounds.
Mirror Work: Watching mouth movements in a mirror helps individuals see and adjust their tongue and lip positions.
Tactile Cues: Using physical guidance or touch to feel where the tongue should go.
Airflow Control: For lateral lisps, exercises direct air forward, sometimes using straws or by prolonging /t/ sounds (like “t-t-t-t-t-s”).
Consult us if your child’s lisp persists past age 4 or 5, if speech is generally hard to understand.
