Problem: When teaching a child to say /s/, he is able to maintain the correct tongue position but then clenches his teeth when he says the whole word.
Clenching is his way of ensuring that he keeps his tongue in correct placement. I would handle this by telling the child that he does not have to keep his teeth together for the whole word, only the /s/. Actually, I suggest trying to handle this issue at the syllable level first—CV (consonant-vowel) and VC. Try starting with CV. Demonstrate how to say combos like say, see, sigh, so , sue. Keep your teeth together for the /s/ and then open for the vowel. Have him repeat each syllable after you.
Tags: articulation, lisp, speech problems, speech therapy