Lisping

[mrsbaffled]

My DS (4 and a half) will be starting school in Sept. He has a lisp and struggles with "s" and "r" (think Jonathan Ross).

Is this an issue? Will he grow out of it? Personally I think it's quite sweet, but makes him sound a bit babyish.

It can be normal to have difficulty with an 'r' sound until at least age 5 - see here www.slc.cambridgeshire.nhs.uk/ActivitiesIdeasandInfo/ChildDevelopmentAgesandStages/DevelopmentofSpeechSounds/tabid/1315/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

However, I have just asked for DD to be referred for SALT as she hasn't lost her lisp at age 5 (think tongue between teeth for an 'S' sound). I think it depends on how much it affects clarity but I'm sure in many cases it can be outgrown eventually.

We were advised to wait until DD started reception and then talk to the school nurse about it which we did - they can refer for therapy if needed.

Thank you, that's really helpful. I will wait and see what school say xx

He might well grow out of it. My nephew used to say his Rs as W and he's 13 now and says them as Rs. I can't remember how old he was when he grew out of it but he was definitely saying W at aged 5.

My DD1 is in reception (5 next month) and she has a lisp. I think she is growing out of it as some S words she says without lisping but I might talk to the school about it.

I'm 40 something and still have a slight lisp!

I've never has speech therapy, but do have to think about certain words before I say them. It has improved vastly since I was a child.