AboutErin E. Maio-Harrison, MA,CCC-SLP Expertise I am able to answer questions related to speech, language, cognitive, swallowing disorders in both children and adults. My focus area relates to disorders that are secondary to trauma (i.e., head injury) or disease, (i.e., Dementia) but I am able to answer basic questions (or find more info) about developmental disorders as well.
Experience I am a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist with 18 years experience primarily in acute care pediatrics and in-pt. rehab. I have also continuously moonlighted in geriatrics, primarily skilled nursing settings and have had private clients of all ages. My focus of practice is neurogenic communication and swallowing disorders.
Organizations American Speech & Hearing Association, (ASHA)
South Carolina Speech/Hearing Association(SCSHA)
Education/Credentials Masters Degree, Communication Disorders and Speech Science (CU Boulder)
Question I'm a 21 yr old , have this lisp from childhood......I pronounce 's' as 'sf'.......haven't been to speech therapist yet but tried some simple exercises....can it be cured?? can you suggest some simple exercises to help? if i go to a speech therapist how long it can take to correct it?
Answer Tanmay-
It is difficult to tell from your description if this is an English as a Second Language error or an actual speech error. Substituting /sf/ for /s/ is not a common lisp. Typically a lisp would be a /th/ (frontal) or a distortion/messy (lateral). If you are saying "I can sfee you after lunch" that almost sounds like an accent error. If you learned English from an accented speaker that would not be unusual. If you merely have an unusual name and I am completely off-base, my apologies.
For accent errors, there are speech pathologist who specialize in this area. If it is a straightforward lisp then a a speech pathologist who works with articulation should be able to help you. I cannot give you exercises, you need to see someone face to face. I cannot tell you how long to correct but as a motivated adult client, I would think you can do most of the work at home and move things along quickly, especially if you have a good ear for the mistake.
Good Luck,
Erin E. Harrison, MA,CCC-SLP
Speech/Language Pathologist
