Is a speech therapist overkill for persistent mumbler?

[HamPieQueen]

My daughter has just turned 12. She has always had and still has a very mild lisp and I never wanted her to feel self conscious about it so we never took any “remedial” action, if that’s the right term.
But over the last couple of years her speech has become lazy for want of a better word. I picture it as, speech should be spikes and dips, and hers is approaching an undulating landscape. I can understand her, but I often have to ask her to repeat herself.
Her older sister never had this issue so I’m reluctant to put it down to Kevin & Perry type teenagerness, but maybe I’m wrong.
No SEN. No other issues.

Ask her if she wants help. Tell her that some people like to have speech training to talk loud and clear (eg Margaret thatcher). And would she like that.

if she says yes, go for it. If she says no, leave the offer on the table in case she changes her mind.

Thanks for your reply. I would be worried about how to approach it so putting a positive spin on it is a good idea.

parietal has worded that really nicely. I'm in a similar position to you, HamPieQueen.

It is hard to know how to approach these things without damaging their confidence.

Are you positive she doesn't have any other language or communication issues? They can be hard to spot, but developmental language disorder can look like unclear speech and reluctance to talk. An SLT might be able to help you check everything is ok, but would be good if your daughter was onboard with it all

She’ll have worse confidence with no voice as no one can understand her.

Loads of children need speech therapy, not a big deal. I’d arrange an assessment asap.