Understanding Lisp in Speech Therapy

 What is Lisp?

A lisp can be explained as a speech impediment that usually involves the substitution of “s” and “z” sounds in common speech. Due to which lots of words go wrong ineffective communication. 

There are various types of lisp depending on the mouth organs that are involved in the production of the sounds. It can be modified with good speech therapy sessions. 

One cannot determine the actual time needed to overcome the issue, but studies have proven that almost 1/3rd of children show significant improvement within one year of regular speech therapy. 

Types of Lisp

There are four common types of lisps and they are:

• Interdental lisps

This kind of lisp occurs when the tongue goes between your front teeth and makes

the “th”- sound instead of the /s/ and /z/ sounds.

• Dentalized lisps

Dentalized lisps occur when the tongue hits the front teeth while making the /s/ and /z/ sounds,

making it unclear. 

• Lateral lisp

When /s/ and /z/ sounds are produced, the air escapes out through the sides of the tongue.

• Palatal lisp

In here, the child is trying to make the “s” sounds when the middle of the tongue is in contact

with the soft palate making it a palatal lisp.

The best speech therapy centers in Dubai, conduct a detailed assessment to identify the speech disorder of the child along with the kind of lisp category. 

Therapists also give a thorough check into the oral structure and mobility of the organs and cavity muscles.

After this customized, personal therapy methods are made to address the problem of each individual child. 

Never avoid consulting a pediatric speech therapist with the mentality that these speech errors with “grow out of it” over time.

It may not, it will only lead to further communication difficulties in the future.