Kissing tonsils at age 12

I have a 12 year old with HUGE tonsils and wait for it….a nasty frontal lisp that is really more of a tongue thrust.  She’s been to the ENT and they classified her tonsils at a 2 1/2.  The other day when I saw her, they were touching her uvula and her speech was terrible. I am thinking she needs another opinion and let mom know that.  Given the risks involved with surgery, I am so hesitant to refer these kids for the surgeries I KNOW they need.  She is so concerned about her speech and she truly sounds like a baby because of it.  It’s such a hard age anyway and I know speech will only get her so far without enough room in her mouth to pull her tongue back.

Any suggestions?

  It sounds like you are right on the money.  Kissing tonsils at age 12….well, she has probably been suffering for years and gradually became accustomed to it..  Has she reached puberty?  If so, then those tonsils should have been reduced by now under normal circumstances.  I think it makes sense to tell mom that you are very ethical and must tell her that the tonsils will prevent the young lady from correcting her lisp/tongue thrust.  The tonsils force the tongue forward in order to allow airway space for BREATHING….Then the tongue must stay in that new, undesirable forward position to rest all the time.  From that resting position, the girl makes her speech sounds.  You can’t force the tongue back, jamming the airway, heaven forbid!  And that forward position of the tongue DOES most definitely contribute to immature voice quality.  You are thinking correctly and would be safer in all aspects to remain true to your ethics and knowledge and tell mom what you know is true.  I hope this helps and lets you know that I support your decision. Post: Kissing tonsils   Keep me posted, Sandra