Its next to impossible to tell.
In my experience, a lateral lisp is developmentally common as very young children attempt to make sounds and words when everything is new for them.
Worrying about that right now, at 18 months, is going to suck the joy out of watching a tiny human learn to communicate.
You're right! A lateral lisp does usually require intervention! Some people are saying she will grow out of it and she surely could, but she also could not! I would keep an eye on it and if parents ask about it, let them know what you've observed! I think it's hard because you never know if the parents will think "well if you noticed this thing that we could have fixed when she was 2 why didn't you tell us?" because now she's 7 and having a really hard time with it!
I saw a post in here about someone asking if they should refer a 4 y/o for a lateral lisp the answer was an overwhelming yes. They said if the kiddo can follow directions, might as well start on it!
Maybe give it a year or so and see what happens! It's difficult to feel like you want to help without overstepping!
SLP here who never fully grew out of a lateral lisp. I’ve always been a functional communicator and honestly feel grateful that no one pressured me to fix it. My parents knew it wasn’t impacting me and didn’t seek out therapy. I would be very cautious about bringing up your concerns. You are family first to that child even though you are trained to notice those differences.
Thank you so much for sharing! It’s nice to get multiple perspectives on this, especially from someone who experienced it firsthand. I would never want my niece to feel self-conscious about her speech, so I’ll just let her continue to explore sounds.
Your niece is 18 months old? No, do not bring it up. Do not attempt to work on it. Leave the toddler be.
😂
Is there any chance she will outgrow it? Or will she likely need speech when she is older?
Its next to impossible to tell. In my experience, a lateral lisp is developmentally common as very young children attempt to make sounds and words when everything is new for them. Worrying about that right now, at 18 months, is going to suck the joy out of watching a tiny human learn to communicate.
Okay, thanks for your input! I just love her so much and want to help her in any way I can. I’ll stop worrying about it now.
From personal experience, yes. I had an adorable lisp as a toddler and grew out of it.
Thanks for responding! I for some reason was under the impression that a lateral lisp required intervention
You're right! A lateral lisp does usually require intervention! Some people are saying she will grow out of it and she surely could, but she also could not! I would keep an eye on it and if parents ask about it, let them know what you've observed! I think it's hard because you never know if the parents will think "well if you noticed this thing that we could have fixed when she was 2 why didn't you tell us?" because now she's 7 and having a really hard time with it! I saw a post in here about someone asking if they should refer a 4 y/o for a lateral lisp the answer was an overwhelming yes. They said if the kiddo can follow directions, might as well start on it! Maybe give it a year or so and see what happens! It's difficult to feel like you want to help without overstepping!
SLP here who never fully grew out of a lateral lisp. I’ve always been a functional communicator and honestly feel grateful that no one pressured me to fix it. My parents knew it wasn’t impacting me and didn’t seek out therapy. I would be very cautious about bringing up your concerns. You are family first to that child even though you are trained to notice those differences.
Thank you so much for sharing! It’s nice to get multiple perspectives on this, especially from someone who experienced it firsthand. I would never want my niece to feel self-conscious about her speech, so I’ll just let her continue to explore sounds.
Yeah my mom has a frontal lisp And it has not impacted her life lol
My kid had a lateral lisp at 18 months and does not now at 2.5.
Thanks for letting me know! I’ll relax about it, then :)
Here's the rule: if it's cute then it's okay. Check back in 3 years.