A lisp is a speech sound error that you might notice in your child. It is a specific type of error, where your child has difficulty making one or more of the following sibilant sounds;
There are four different types of lisps including;
Typically when we make a ‘s, z, sh, ch, j or zh’ sound, our tongue lifts at the sides to meet our teeth, to help the air travel down our tongue and out between our front teeth. A lateral lisp occurs when your child’s tongue is flat in their mouth, and air escapes from the sides of their teeth, pushing the air into their cheeks. This results in a ‘slushy’ sound.
Typically when we make a ‘s, z, sh, ch, j or zh’ sound, our tongue stays inside our mouth, behind our teeth. An inderdental lisp occurs when your child’s tongue sticks out between their teeth when making these sounds.
Typically when we make a ‘s, z, sh, ch, j or zh’ sound, our tongue stays inside our mouth, behind our teeth. A dentalised lisp occurs when your child’s tongue tip rests or pushes up against their teeth when making these sounds. This results in an unclear sound.
Typically when we make a ‘s, z, sh, ch, j or zh’ sound, our tongue tip sits behind our teeth. A palatal lisp occurs when your child’s tongue tip rests quite far back on their palate (the roof of their mouth).
We wish we could tell you! There are no known causes of speech and language difficulties in children. Research tells us that 20% of children have difficulties with speech or language during the preschool years. Research has proven that there is a genetic link between family members and children with communication difficulties; however as a parent, there is nothing that you could have done to prevent your child from having this difficulty.
The best thing you can do for your child is have their speech sounds assessed by a Speech Pathologist so that you can begin working together to fix any errors that might not be appropriate for their age.
With clinics across Sydney in Bella Vista, Oran Park and Penrith, we proudly also offer our services to local Baulkham Hills, Jamisontown, Werrington Downs, Cranebrook, Glenbrook, Castle Hill, Emu Plains, Glenwood, Kellyville, Kingswood and Seven Hills residents.
When children are young, it’s common for a lisp to be described as ‘cute’ or ‘sweet’. Sometimes we grow to love those little differences in our children’s speech!
However, it can actually be easier to resolve a child’s speech sound difficulty now, when they are at a younger age. This is because it is a motor plan they have developed – think about if you were right-handed, and suddenly had to learn to write with your left hand!
This would be much more achievable if you tried to make the change at the age of 5, after only holding a pencil to draw for 12 months, rather than at the age of 15, after 10 years of practice drawing, colouring and writing with that same hand.
By helping your child with their lisp at a younger age, you can help your child settle into conversations with new people more easily. School can be tricky enough without your child having to explain why they may make sounds differently to their friends.
Research suggests that as children grow and develop, they become more aware of their own skills, including their talking skills. We want your child to be a happy, confident communicator and we don’t want their speech sound errors to impact on their self-esteem and confidence.
As children develop into teenagers and young adults they often begin to job hunt and meet new people in new environments, where confident communication skills are so very important in reaching goals and meeting new friends.
If you have concerns for your child’s talking, understanding or speech sound development contact Chatterbox Speech Pathology to book an assessment.
Chatterbox Speech Pathology & Occupational Therapy are here to support you by continuing to provide healthcare to our community.
Our team including speech therapists and occupational therapists are continuing to offer care to address the source of your problem and pain at our Oran Park, Penrith, Bella Vista & Kingswood clinics. We have escalated our already stringent hygiene routines to ensure a safe environment for all.
We are also offering online speech therapy and occupational therapy appointments.
Get started straight away and call us on 02 4731 2432 for our Penrith clinic, 02 8814 1821 for our Bella Vista clinic or 02 4647 6777 for our Oran Park clinic to speak with our friendly team, ask any questions and to start getting help or book online now!
Jennifer Kay
Chief Executive Officer
Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology)
Jennifer Kay graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology). She is the founder and Director of Chatterbox Speech Pathology and established the clinic in 2004. Previous to this Jennifer worked as a Speech Pathologist in both government and private sectors providing therapy in clinic, preschools, schools and in home settings.
Jennifer is extremely passionate when it comes to Speech Pathology and has a particular interest in early intervention, language and literacy development. She believes that communication skills are the foundation for success later in life. Jennifer values the importance of developing intervention which is individually tailored to the child and their family. Jennifer believes that there is no better feeling than helping a child to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
Jennifer has a strong belief in providing a family friendly practice where learning should be fun! The therapists are provided with the latest assessment tools in order to obtain a holistic picture of a child’s strengths and difficulties. Jennifer supplies the team with a combination of bright colourful resources and technology in order to engage and motivate a child.
Jennifer works closely with her team of Speech Pathologists. She provides constant support, mentoring and training to ensure that Chatterbox delivers the highest standard of Speech Pathology services to children and their families. She has an evidence based philosophy and believes in the importance of Professional Development as it continually updates and develops a clinician’s skills. This ensures the Chatterbox team is able to provide families with the latest scientifically supported therapy.
Driven by a strong passion for Professional Development, Jennifer has sought out leaders in the field of Speech Pathology to present workshops to the Chatterbox team and Speech Pathologists Australia wide. She has worked alongside some of the leading Australian experts in Speech Pathology such as; Dr Roslyn Neilson, Dr Barbara Dodd, Professor Jacqueline Roberts and Dr Caroline Bowen. Jennifer has also hosted international guest speakers such as UK based Developmental Psychologist Dr Kevin Durkin and Speech and Language Pathologist Professor Gina Conti-Ramsden as well as Dr Rhea Paul author of Language Disorders: Infancy through Adolescence.
Jennifer understands the impact that speech and language difficulties have on young children and their families. She has presented numerous workshops and seminars over the years providing guidance and advice to both Teachers and Parents focusing on early intervention and language development. Jennifer has developed positive relationships with many of the local preschool centres and schools by offering support, advice and teacher mentoring.
When Jennifer isn’t living and breathing Speech Pathology she enjoys spending time with her 3 adorable kids – Sophia, Ava and Spencer as well as her husband Leigh. She enjoys indulging in a massage, catching up with friends and has a love for travel and looks forward to her next big family holiday.