What Is a Lisp?

What Is a Lisp?

Have you heard your child say "thun" instead of "sun"? That little slip is called a lisp. It's a common speech problem that many young children experience while learning to talk. Most kids grow out of it on their own, but sometimes a lisp persists and requires attention. This article explains why lisps occur, their various types, when treatment is necessary, and how speech therapy works. Read on to know more.

Have you heard your child say "thun" instead of "sun"? That little slip is called a lisp. It's a common speech problem that many young children experience while learning to talk. Most kids grow out of it on their own, but sometimes a lisp persists and requires attention. This article explains why lisps occur, their various types, when treatment is necessary, and how speech therapy works. Read on to know more.

What Causes a Lisp?

Here are some reasons that can cause a lisp:

• Your child's tongue might push against or between their teeth when they talk, which can make sounds like “s” and “z” hard to understand.

• Limited tongue movement from a tongue tie.

• Kids with crooked teeth, gaps, or jaw problems like an overbite or underbite have a harder time making clear speech sounds.

• Your child may have also just learnt the wrong way to say a sound.