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How does an adult correct a lisp?
I am a 36 year old female and I have a strong lisp. I feel self-conscious about it. How does an adult correct a lisp?
7 Answers
A speech pathologist can help teach you the correct way to produce the sounds you are lisping and then guide you through a practice hierarchy to establish carryover. If you are motivated, you should be able to reduce if not completely remediate the lisp.
It would best to get speech therapy to help with your lisp
Consult an SLP who specializes in adult speech disorders
Adults and children need speech therapy to correct a lisp. It is possible at any age.
You can see a speech language pathologist in your local area for an assessment and treatment. You can also youtube Pam Marshalla who works on lateral and frontal lisp correction through exercises.
If your tongue is protruding out the front of your mouth that is typically what people think of an a lisp. People can also demonstrate a lateral lisp; which is when air is coming out of the sides of the mouth (cheeks) instead of the front. Sometimes, a large tongue or dentition may be a contributing factor to a lisp. Whether or not this is a contributing factor, you can still work on placement. To improve placement: bite back teeth together, smile, lift mid tongue slightly to roof of mouth and push a steady stream of air out the font of your mouth (keep tongue behind teeth). Repetition is key to breaking the habit of the lisp. Practice in words first ( at the beginning, middle, and ends of words), then increase to short phrases, then longer sentences, and generalize into conversation. Practice in front of a mirror if need be, and be intentional with these tips when talking when possible.
I would seek out a speech language pathologist. Depending on the specific error you are making, we can give you specific strategies, suggestions, or exercises to address your lisp.
Ali Matisse, MS CCC-SLP