Lisp
LISPWhat is Lisp?
A lisp is a speech disorder characterized by the mispronunciation of /s/ and /z/ sounds. This often occurs when the tongue is incorrectly positioned during speech, causing the speaker to substitute or distort these sounds. One common mistake is the production of a /th/ sound instead of /s/ or /z/, frequently due to the tongue being placed incorrectly. Here are several types of lisps:
- Lateral Lisp: Air escapes from the sides of the tongue when trying to make /s/ and /z/ sounds.
- Frontal Lisp: The tongue protrudes forward between the teeth, which is the classic lisp type.
- Palatal Lisp: The tongue presses upward towards the roof of the mouth, rather than protruding forward.
- Dental Lisp: The tongue pushes against the back of the teeth rather than protruding between them.
Each type of lisp involves unique tongue placements and can affect speech clarity, but they are treatable with speech therapy.
LISP CAUSESWhat are the causes?
The exact cause of a lisp is often unclear, and in many cases, multiple factors can contribute to its development. Some potential causes include:
- Dental Issues: Misalignment of teeth can affect speech and contribute to the production of a lisp. Addressing dental issues may help in correcting the lisp.
- Developmental Factors: Lisps can occur as part of normal speech development, especially in young children who are still mastering certain sounds.
- Structural Abnormalities: Physical conditions like cleft palates or irregularities in the mouth, jaw, or tongue shape can also cause a lisp.
In many instances, no physical factors are present, and a lisp may develop simply from habit or because of difficulty distinguishing between the /th/ and /s/ or /z/ sounds.
LISP TREATMENTHow Speak Easy Mobile Therapy treats it?
The treatment for a lisp varies based on the type and severity of the lisp. The main treatment methods include:
- Visualization: Using a mirror to help the individual see the position of their tongue during speech can help them understand the correct way to produce sounds like /s/ and /z/.
- Drill and Practice: A speech-language pathologist will provide specific words that include the /s/ or /z/ sound to practice at different positions within words, helping the individual master sound production.
- Sentences: After mastering words, the individual will practice saying sentences with many /s/ and /z/ sounds, aiming to reinforce correct pronunciation in various contexts.
- Reading Aloud: Reading books that feature a high frequency of /s/ and /z/ sounds aloud helps build fluency in using these sounds in connected speech.
- Conversational Speech: Finally, once the individual can produce /s/ and /z/ correctly in structured activities, they practice these sounds in natural, spontaneous conversations with both familiar and unfamiliar listeners.
Treatment duration will depend on progress and the individual’s specific needs.
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