Does your child stick out their tongue when they say the letter 's'? Let's talk about this 'lisp'!

Have you ever noticed that your little one gets stuck on some letters when they speak? Especially when they say the letter 's', does their tongue stick out from between their teeth, or do they make a 'th' sound instead of 's'? Many parents experience this at a young age. This is usually something that happens when a child is learning to speak. But sometimes it lasts a while. Today we are talking about this difficulty in speaking called 'lisp', which is common among many people.

What exactly is Lisp?

Simply put, a 'Lisp' is a speech impediment. It is a condition in which the child cannot pronounce the sounds associated with the letters 'S' and 'z' correctly. The sound is altered because the child's tongue is in the wrong position when trying to pronounce these letters.

Think of the word 'shoe' sounding like 'tapattu', or the word 'sugar' sounding like 'shoe' with the tongue sticking out between the teeth. This is what we call a 'lesp'. This usually starts in childhood and goes away on its own as the child gets older. But for some children, this condition can persist. In that case, we have to resort to treatment.

Why do children get into trouble like this? What are the reasons?

There is no single specific cause for this. It can happen to any child. However, there are several factors that are thought to contribute to it:

• Learning to use the tongue incorrectly: This is the most common reason. Young children learn to speak by listening to us speak and imitating it. So sometimes they don't learn the right place to place their tongue when making the 's' sound. This bad habit can continue to be ingrained.
• Tongue-tie: In some children, the membrane that connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth is a little thicker, or it is located close to the tip of the tongue. Medically, we call this (Ankyloglossia) . This makes it difficult to move the tongue freely up, down, and from side to side. Since the tongue needs to move correctly to pronounce letters like 's', this condition can also cause a 'lesp'.
• Jaw alignment issues: If a child's upper and lower jaws don't fit together properly, it can also affect the position of the tongue and affect the way they speak.
• Using a pacifier for a long time: Some believe that children who continue to suck on a pacifier after 2-3 years of age have abnormally strong tongue and lip muscles, which increases the risk of developing a 'lips'. However, this is not common for all children. Not all children who use a pacifier develop this condition.

At what age should we be afraid of this?

Many young children have some form of 'lisp' when they are learning to speak. It is very common. Only 23% of children who see speech-language pathologists have this problem.

However, if your child is still having this condition after they are about 4 1/2 years old , it is a good idea to seek professional help. Sometimes, even as young as 3 years old, you can work with a speech therapist to correct this condition. The earlier you address this, the easier it is to correct.

Does Lisp have types?

Yes, there are four main types of 'lesps'. These are classified according to where the child's tongue is placed.

What are the treatments for this?

The specialist who treats 'Lesp' is a Speech-Language Pathologist . If you have any doubts about your child's problem, first consult your family doctor. He or she will refer you to a qualified speech therapist if necessary.

What does a speech therapist do?

1. Evaluation: First, the therapist talks and plays with the child to determine exactly what type of 'lesp' the child has.

2. Training: Next, the child is shown how to hear their own sound. Next, they are shown in front of a mirror where to place the tongue to make the 's' sound correctly.

3. Exercises: Training is provided through fun exercises. Words and sentences containing the letter 'S' are read repeatedly. The child does not get bored because they do these things while playing.

4. Conversations: After some practice, the therapist engages in a normal conversation with the child. Even then, the child is reminded to speak with the correct tongue position.

These treatments can take anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on the child's age, the nature of the problem, and the child's interest in practicing.

What if it's due to tongue-tie?

If the cause of the 'lesp' is the tongue membrane, the doctor may recommend a simple surgery.

• Frenotomy: This is a very simple procedure. The doctor uses a small pair of scissors to cut away the excess tissue that is pulling the tongue down. This can be done in the clinic.
• Frenuloplasty: This surgery may be necessary if the membrane is very thick or complex.

Are there things we can do at home?

Yes, whether or not your child is referred to speech therapy, there are some things you can do to help them at home.

• Drinking through a straw: Use a straw when giving your child drinks. This strengthens the muscles of the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
• Blowing toys: Encourage your child to play with soap bubbles, whistles, and balloons. These are also good exercises to strengthen the muscles in the mouth.
• Stop thumb sucking: If your child has a habit of thumb sucking, it can affect the way they speak. So try to stop the habit.
• Treatment for allergies and colds: Children who have frequent nasal congestion and mucus tend to breathe through their mouths. This can also affect the position of the tongue. Therefore, if you have such conditions, see a doctor and get treatment.
• Don't blame your child for mispronunciation: Never laugh, joke, or criticize the way your child speaks. Instead, if your child mispronounces a word, repeat it again clearly and correctly. For example, if your child says, "That's a snake," you can lovingly say, "Oh... yes, son, that's a snake, isn't it?"

lisp, speech disorders, children's speech, speech therapy, tongue twisters, speech therapy