A lateral lisp occurs when air escapes over the sides of the tongue during speech, rather than through the front. This article provides guidance on when professional intervention is typically recommended for this speech pattern.
Understanding Lateral Lisps
A lateral lisp produces a distinctive “slushy” or “wet” sound, particularly noticeable with ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds. This results from the tongue’s position, where the sides of the tongue lower, allowing air to escape laterally into the cheeks.
This differs from a frontal lisp, where the tongue protrudes between the front teeth, creating a “th” sound. A lateral lisp involves a more complex tongue placement, often requiring the tongue to remain anchored at the back while the sides relax.
Typical Speech Sound Development
Children typically acquire speech sounds gradually. Early speech sound errors, including some lisping, are common and part of normal development for toddlers and preschoolers. Many young children naturally produce ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds imperfectly as they learn to coordinate their tongue, lips, and airflow.
The ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds are among the later developing sounds in English. Most children master these sounds by around 7 or 8 years of age. A lisp observed in a very young child might resolve naturally without intervention as their speech motor skills mature.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
A lateral lisp usually warrants professional evaluation if it persists beyond a certain age. If a child’s lateral lisp is still present by 4.5 to 5 years old, it often signals a need for assessment by a speech-language pathologist. This age marks a point where many children have begun to refine their articulation skills.
Furthermore, if the lateral lisp continues into school age, particularly around 7 or 8 years old, when ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds should be well-established, seeking professional guidance becomes even more pertinent. Signs that indicate it is time for an assessment include the lisp being highly noticeable, impacting the child’s intelligibility, or causing them distress.
Speech Therapy Approaches
Speech-language pathologists employ various techniques to address lateral lisps. Therapy often begins with helping the individual become aware of the incorrect airflow and tongue placement. Auditory discrimination exercises teach the ear to distinguish between the lisp sound and the correct ‘s’ or ‘z’ sound.
Direct articulation work then focuses on retraining the tongue to direct airflow centrally. This may involve using tools or specific verbal cues to guide the tongue into the correct position for sound production. Practicing the target sounds in isolation, then in syllables, words, phrases, and eventually spontaneous conversation, helps generalize the new motor pattern. Therapy is always tailored to the individual’s specific needs and learning style.
Addressing Untreated Lateral Lisps
If a lateral lisp remains unaddressed, it can lead to several practical challenges. Children with persistent lisps may experience social difficulties, potentially leading to self-consciousness or teasing from peers. This can affect their confidence and willingness to communicate in social settings.
Unresolved lateral lisps can also impact academic progress. The ‘s’ and ‘z’ sounds are frequently used in spoken and written language, and difficulties producing them might subtly affect phonological awareness, which is important for reading and spelling development. Communication clarity issues can also arise, making it harder for others to understand the speaker, particularly in noisy environments.