A lisp, especially one involving difficulty with the "S" sound, can be a frustrating challenge for individuals of all ages. Whether it stems from childhood articulation issues or has persisted into adulthood, it’s a common concern that many face, even without a history of stroke or injury. The good news is that speech therapy can effectively help correct lisps, allowing you to speak more clearly and confidently.
In this article, we are going to talk about how Better Speech can help address and correct lisps through specialized speech therapy programs tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're seeking therapy for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to provide the support you need to improve pronunciation and speech clarity.
In this article we will discuss:
Understanding Lisps and Their Causes
A lisp is a speech disorder that affects a person’s ability to pronounce certain sounds correctly, most commonly the "S" and "Z" sounds. Instead of producing a clear "S" sound, a person with a lisp may produce a sound that resembles the "th" in "thin" or "this." There are different types of lisps, including:
Interdental Lisp: When the tongue protrudes between the teeth, creating a "th" sound instead of "s."
Dentalized Lisp: When the tongue presses against the teeth.
Lateral Lisp: Air escapes over the sides of the tongue.
Palatal Lisp: The tongue touches the soft palate during speech.
Lisps can result from several factors such as tongue thrust (an oral habit where the tongue pushes against the teeth when speaking or swallowing), delayed speech development in childhood, or learned speech patterns. However, many people with lisps have not had a stroke, injury, or medical issue that directly caused the speech disorder.
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Can You Correct a Lisp Without a Stroke or Injury?
Yes, absolutely. Whether or not a stroke or injury occurred, many people seek speech therapy to address lisps and similar articulation issues. In fact, many individuals develop a lisp in early childhood, and without proper intervention, the lisp can persist into adulthood.
Correcting a lisp is possible at any age. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with children, teenagers, and adults to help them improve their speech clarity. In many cases, people with a lisp simply require focused guidance and practice to change their tongue placement and articulation habits.
Better Speech provides personalized, online speech therapy for correcting lisps and other speech disorders. With the guidance of a licensed speech therapist, you can correct an incorrect "S" sound and achieve more precise and confident speech.
The Role of Speech Therapy in Lisp Correction
Speech therapy is an effective and well-established approach for correcting lisps. The primary goal of speech therapy for lisps is to help individuals identify and modify their tongue placement and airflow when producing the "S" and "Z" sounds. Through targeted exercises and feedback, individuals can gradually improve their speech clarity.
At Better Speech, our licensed SLPs take a personalized approach to therapy, using techniques that are suited to each individual’s speech patterns and challenges. The following methods are commonly used in lisp therapy:
Articulation Exercises: Speech therapists guide individuals through specific exercises that help with proper tongue positioning and muscle coordination during speech.
Auditory Feedback: Listening to and identifying the differences between correct and incorrect speech sounds is a vital part of speech therapy.
Oral Motor Exercises: Strengthening the muscles involved in speech production is essential for gaining better control over articulation.
Practice and Repetition: Repetition of specific sounds, words, and sentences ensures that the new articulation habits become automatic.
Therapy sessions are tailored to meet the needs of each client, whether they are a child learning correct speech patterns for the first time or an adult seeking to overcome long-standing speech issues.
What to Expect in a Speech Therapy Session for Lisps
When you begin speech therapy for a lisp with Better Speech, you can expect a customized plan that fits your specific speech needs. Each session will focus on correcting the lisp and improving your overall speech clarity. Here’s a general outline of what you can expect:
Assessment: In the initial session, your SLP will evaluate your speech patterns, identify the type of lisp you have, and discuss your goals for therapy. This helps them create a customized treatment plan.
Articulation Training: Your therapist will demonstrate proper tongue placement for producing clear "S" and "Z" sounds. They will guide you through articulation exercises to help retrain your tongue’s movement and placement.
Practice and Repetition: Throughout the session, you’ll practice producing correct sounds in isolation, then in words, and eventually in sentences and conversation. Repetition is key to developing new speech habits.
Feedback and Adjustment: Your SLP will give you immediate feedback on your progress, making adjustments to your exercises as needed to ensure that you are consistently improving.
Home Practice: Your therapist will likely assign exercises for you to practice between sessions. Practicing at home is an essential part of reinforcing the skills learned in therapy.
Sessions are conducted online, making it easy and convenient to fit therapy into your schedule, and there’s no need for commuting or taking time off work.
How to Get Started with Better Speech
Getting started with Better Speech is simple and straightforward. If you’re interested in correcting a lisp, all you need to do is schedule a free 15-minute consultation with one of our licensed speech therapists. During this consultation, we’ll discuss your speech concerns, outline potential treatment plans, and answer any questions you may have.
To book your consultation, click here: Schedule Your Free Consultation.
Our online speech therapy sessions are designed to be flexible and tailored to your schedule. You can select the time that works best for you, and our team of experts will guide you through every step of the process.
How Better Speech Can Support You
If you or your child is having difficulty communicating, it’s important to consult an experienced speech-language pathologist (SLP) as soon as possible. At Better Speech, we’re more than just a speech therapy provider. We’re a team of over 250 licensed SLPs passionate about helping people of all ages develop strong communication skills. We offer convenient, online speech therapy sessions tailored to your unique needs and schedule.
Whether you’re concerned about a persistent lisp, speech clarity, or other articulation issues, we’re here to help. Our mission is to make high-quality speech therapy accessible, affordable, and effective for every family. To get started, just fill out a quick form and get paired with a specialist today! Start your journey to recovery today by scheduling a consultation with our expert team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lisp be corrected at any age?
Yes, lisps can be corrected at any age. Whether you’re an adult or a child, speech therapy can help you learn how to pronounce sounds correctly.
How long does it take to correct a lisp?
Do I need special equipment for online speech therapy?
How often do I need speech therapy sessions?
Can Better Speech help with other articulation issues besides lisps?
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
