A lisp is a speech pattern where the 's' and 'z' sounds are produced incorrectly. In a frontal lisp, the tongue pushes forward between the teeth, making 's' sound like 'th.' In a lateral lisp, air escapes over the sides of the tongue, creating a wet or slushy sound.

Will my child outgrow their lisp?

Frontal lisps are common in young children and many outgrow them by age 4–5. Lateral lisps are not considered a typical developmental pattern and are unlikely to resolve without therapy. If a frontal lisp persists beyond age 5, therapy is recommended.

How long does it take to fix a lisp?

Treatment length varies depending on the type of lisp and the child's age. Many children see significant improvement within 3–6 months of consistent therapy and home practice.

Lisp in Vancouver, BC

Lisp

What Is a Lisp?

A lisp is one of the most common speech sound differences in children. It affects the way “s” and “z” sounds are produced, and sometimes “sh” and “ch” as well. There are two main types:

Frontal lisp: The tongue pushes forward between or against the front teeth, so “sun” sounds like “thun.” This is very common in toddlers and preschoolers as part of typical development.

Lateral lisp: Air escapes over the sides of the tongue instead of down the middle, creating a wet or slushy quality to “s” and “z” sounds. This type is not considered developmental and typically requires therapy.

When Is a Lisp a Problem?

Young children (under age 4–5) frequently produce frontal lisps as part of normal speech development. A frontal lisp becomes a concern when it persists beyond age 5. A lateral lisp, however, is not a typical developmental stage and should be evaluated at any age.

Signs to Watch For

“S” and “z” sounds are consistently distorted
The tongue visibly pushes forward between the teeth during speech
Speech sounds wet, slushy, or muffled on certain sounds
Your child is self-conscious or being teased about their speech

How Speech Therapy Helps

Treatment focuses on teaching correct tongue placement for the affected sounds. A speech-language pathologist uses structured practice activities, visual feedback, and home exercises to build new habits. With consistent practice, most children achieve clear, natural-sounding speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lisp?: A lisp is a speech pattern where the 's' and 'z' sounds are produced incorrectly. In a frontal lisp, the tongue pushes forward between the teeth, making 's' sound like 'th.' In a lateral lisp, air escapes over the sides of the tongue, creating a wet or slushy sound.
Will my child outgrow their lisp?: Frontal lisps are common in young children and many outgrow them by age 4–5. Lateral lisps are not considered a typical developmental pattern and are unlikely to resolve without therapy. If a frontal lisp persists beyond age 5, therapy is recommended.
How long does it take to fix a lisp?: Treatment length varies depending on the type of lisp and the child's age. Many children see significant improvement within 3–6 months of consistent therapy and home practice.