A lisp is a speech impediment that specifically relates to making the sounds associated with the letters S and Z. Lisps usually develop during childhood and often go away on their own, but some persist and require treatment. There are no known causes of lisps, but some possible causes include:
- Incorrect tongue placement for the type of sound that you are trying to make.
- Learning to say the sound incorrectly.
- Tongue-tie, a condition where the tongue is tethered to the bottom of the mouth, restricting its movement.
- Problems with jaw alignment.
- Dental problems, such as overbites and narrow dental arches.
- Anatomical factors, such as an enlarged tongue.
It is important to note that many young children have some kind of lisp as they learn to talk, and it is one of the most common speech impediments. About 23% of speech-language pathologist clients have lisps. However, if a lisp continues past the age of 5, it’s recommended to enlist the help of a speech therapist.
