Consider the following scenario: your child is struggling to be understood in school, often is teased by others, and is self-conscious about their speech. For many children who suffer from a speech condition known as lisping, this is a reality. Having a lisp alters how particular sounds are spoken, making it challenging for children to communicate effectively.
How has your child's Lisp impacted their daily life?
Negatively
Positively
No impact
Good news, folks! Lisping doesn't have to be a permanent issue.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you through each step of the process of treating a lisp. We'll dive into what exactly a lisp is, why it can be crucial to treat it, the ways in which speech therapy and regular practice can help, who to seek help from, the right time to get treatment, and where to find a reputable speech therapist. Let's get started!
With real-life examples and practical tips, this blog post will equip you with everything you need to know to help your child overcome their lisp and become a confident communicator. So, whether you're a parent, guardian, or teacher, read on to learn how to resolve lisps in children.
What is a Lisp?
A lisp is a speech issue that impacts how s and z sounds are pronounced, leading these to sound more like a th sound, resulting in a distorted speech pattern. Additionally, sounds such as sh, ch, j, and zh may also be affected, making it difficult for children to communicate effectively. Children might develop a lisp for a variety of reasons, such as incorrect tongue positioning, jaw misalignment, as a result of a tongue tie, to name a few.
Why treat a Lisp?
Unfortunately, children who lisp can face mockery and be teased from their peers, causing emotional stress and a dip in self-esteem. Not to mention, a lisp can hinder a child's ability to communicate effectively, making it hard for them to form friendships, take part in class discussions, and may impact on their self-confidence in a variety of speaking situations. Thus, resolving a lisp may increase a child's self-esteem and confidence.
How to treat a Lisp?
Speech therapy: A speech therapist can help your child treat their lisp by instructing them in proper tongue placement and jaw alignment. Effective techniques such as modelling, and repetition may also be utilized to facilitate the correct pronunciation of sounds.
Articulation exercises: Speech therapists may also prescribe articulation exercises that your child can do at home to reinforce their new speech pattern. These exercises may involve practicing sounds, words, and sentences that contain problematic sounds.
Regular practice: Consistency is key when it comes to getting rid of a lisp. Encourage your child to practice their new speech pattern every day, even outside of therapy sessions.
If you child has Lisp, what steps have you taken to address it?
Speech Therapy
Exercises at home
No steps taken
Others
Who should you turn to for help?
If you suspect your child has a lisp, seeking out the help of a speech therapist is the initial step. The speech therapist can assess your child's speech and devise a customized treatment plan to help resolve their lisp.
When should you seek help?
It's never too early or too late to seek help for a lisp. However, it's recommended to seek help as soon as you suspect your child has a speech disorder to ensure they receive prompt treatment and make progress as quickly as possible.
Do you believe that early intervention is important in addressing a Lisp?
Yes
No
Unsure
Where can you find a speech therapist?
Total Communication offers speech therapy services to help treat lisps in children. Our team of experienced speech therapists provides personalized treatment plans to improve pronunciation, communication skills, and self-esteem. Utilizing the most recent techniques and technology and an evidence-based approach, we aim to deliver effective and dependable solutions. If you're searching for comprehensive speech therapy services, Total Communication is the place to go.