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Expert Q&A
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| By Mindy Hudon Speech and Language Pathologist | ||
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What causes a lisp?
There are many theories regarding how a lisp develops in a child including thumb sucking, long-term pacifier or bottle use and/or frequent upper respiratory illnesses. The placement of a thumb or pacifier in a child's mouth may cause the tongue to lay flat and/or protrude forward. Also, children may attempt to talk while a pacifier is in their mouths, causing reduced placement of the tongue for correct sound productions. Additionally, research has found that a child who has frequent upper respiratory infections may develop speech disorders, because the tongue lays flat in order for the child to breathe through the mouth (rather than the nose).
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