Loading...
When children are learning to talk, it's normal for them to make speech errors. One of the most recognisable speech errors is a lisp. Children with a lisp often have difficulty saying certain consonants, especially the /s/ and /z/ sounds.
Parents often wonder, "Will my child grow out of a lisp?" or "Does my 4-year-old need speech therapy for their lisp?" The answer depends on the type of lisp and your child's age. A frontal (interdental) lisp can be a normal developmental phase for some children, while a lateral lisp is not part of typical development and usually requires speech therapy to resolve.
In this article, we'll focus on the two most common types of lisps in children — interdental and lateral — what causes them, when to seek help, and how speech therapy can support clearer, more confident communication. If you'd like to learn more about general speech sound milestones, see our full guide on speech sound development.
A lisp is a specific type of speech sound difficulty that affects how the /s/ and /z/ sounds are made. Lisps happen when a child's tongue is positioned incorrectly during speech, that it blocks the airflow needed to make the /s/ and /z/ sounds.
Children with a lisp are usually trying to say the correct /s/ sound, but it may come out:
Although there are several types of lisps, the two we see most often in children are interdental lisps and lateral lisps.

Lisps result from the incorrect placement of tongue in the mouth, which can obstruct airflow and distort the pronunciation of some sounds, especially /s/ and /z/.
Other factors that can contribute include:
It depends on the type of lisp:
If your child is over 5 and still has a lisp — or if you notice a lateral lisp at any age — it's best to seek advice from a speech therapist.
Understanding your child's overall speech development can help you make informed decisions. Our comprehensive guide on Speech Sound Development in Children provides detailed information about typical speech milestones and when to be concerned.
A speech therapist will carry out a detailed evaluation, which may include:
If other concerns are present — such as unclear speech on multiple sounds — the speech therapist may look for other speech sound disorders too.

Therapy for a lisp focuses on teaching the correct tongue position and airflow for the affected consonants, then practising until it becomes a new habit.
Focus on what your child says, not just how they say it.
Model the correct sound naturally. If they say "I want to wear the red 'thock'," you can say, "You want the red sock. Let's put on your sock.". Don't worry if they can't say it back or copy you in the right way yet.
Lisps are not only a childhood issue. Some adults still have a lisp if it wasn't addressed earlier. The good news: it's never too late to fix it.
With regular practice and guidance from a speech therapist, many highly motivated teenagers and adults have successfully corrected their lisps.
You may want to book an assessment with a speech therapist if:
Early support can prevent the lisp from becoming a long-term habit and help your child feel more confident in speaking.
Take our free Communication Milestones Quiz to help you understand your child's overall communication development and identify any areas that might benefit from additional support.
A lisp may be just one small part of your child's unique voice, but if it's affecting clarity or confidence, speech therapy can help. With the right guidance, children (and adults) can learn to produce clear sounds.
Ready to help your child speak with clarity and confidence? Early support makes all the difference, and you don't have to navigate this journey alone.
Our experienced Singapore speech therapists are here to support you. In just 15 minutes, we'll:
If you're confident your child would benefit from support, our bilingual team can assess what type of lisp your child has and create a personalized therapy plan to help them speak more clearly.
Schedule Speech AssessmentJoin the hundreds of Singapore families who trust Ray of Joy Therapy to support their child's communication journey.