Dyscalculia
Is calculation remaining a stumbling block for your child — multiplication tables that won't stick, trouble with telling time, money, or number sense, despite plenty of practice? Then dyscalculia might be a factor. Read more about what it is and how we assess and address it here.
What is dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a persistent disorder in math and number processing, despite adequate instruction and normal intelligence. Here too, the cause lies in the way the brain processes numerical information.
What does this mean in practice? Your child has difficulty with number sense, with automating math facts (times tables, number bonds), with calculation procedures, and sometimes with time, money, or geometry. Math takes a lot of time and leads to insecurity and fear of failure.
Important distinction. We do not speak of dyscalculia when the math difficulties can be explained by a general lag, missed curriculum content, or a language problem. The key characteristic is again persistent difficulty, even after targeted extra practice.
Mogelijke signalen
Do you recognize some of these signs? That doesn't automatically mean there is a disorder — an intake interview helps us figure out together what is going on.
- multiplication tables and number bonds do not become automated
- difficulty with number sense and estimating quantities
- keeps falling back on counting on fingers
- difficulty with telling the time, money, or units of measurement
- math takes a lot of time and causes fear of failure
When is help useful?
- Typical request for help: «My child is falling behind in arithmetic and the multiplication tables just won't stick.»
- Who refers: often the school or the CLB, sometimes the (family) doctor.
- Age: signals often from the 2nd to 3rd grade of primary school, when arithmetic becomes more complex.
- When further research? When difficulties persist despite targeted help at school.
Step by step
- 1Registrationyou / parent
You contact the practice with your question.
- 2Prescription for the evaluationgeneral practitioner / specialist
A medical prescription for the speech therapy evaluation.
- 3intake and speech therapy evaluationspeech therapist + parent
Introduction, the request for help, and discussion of the medical history. A targeted assessment is administered using standardized tests.
- 4Analysis & conclusionspeech therapist
The results are brought together to form a diagnostic picture. A report of the assessment is drawn up.
- 5Prescription for therapyspecialist
Have the prescription for the treatment signed by a specialist. The application form is sent to the health insurance fund.
- 6Decision by the medical advisorhealth insurance fund
The health insurance fund approves the reimbursement.
- 7Tailored therapyspeech therapist + child + parent
Guidance for your child, together with you.
- 8Evaluation & extensionspeech therapist
Monitoring of progress, and continuation or completion.
What can a result mean?
Within the norm
The performance is within the expected range for the age. Based on this test, there is no indication of a disorder in this domain.
Low score
Lower than expected for the age — a difficulty in this domain. A single low score in itself is not sufficient for a diagnosis or reimbursement.
Criterion met
The score meets the RIZIV criterion value for this test. This supports the reimbursement application. The final decision rests with the medical advisor.
Contradictory picture
The results are not unambiguous. We interpret them in conjunction with the anamnesis, observations, school information, and any additional testing.
The therapy
- Goals
- A stronger number sense, smoother math facts, useful strategies and tools, and more math confidence.
- Frequency
- Usually 1 to 2 sessions per week, within the RIZIV framework.
- Session duration
- 30 minutes (individually).
- Role of the parents
- Practicing together in small, achievable steps and bringing math into daily life (cooking, shopping).
- Role of the school
- Reasonable accommodations (STICORDI), e.g., a math chart or extra time.
- Evaluation
- Periodic; extension based on progress.
What does it cost?
Dyscalculia can be reimbursed under certain conditions via the RIZIV and your mutual insurance. In short:
You only pay the co-pay (±€2 with increased reimbursement). Your health insurance fund reimburses the major part.
The full fee, e.g., when the RIZIV conditions are not met.
- a valid medical prescription (assessment + treatment);
- a speech therapy report with math scores below the criterion values from the RIZIV list;
- the diagnosis made before the full 18th birthday;
- approval by the advisory physician of your health insurance fund.
Specific conditions apply for reimbursement regarding, among other things, the diagnosis, the assessment, the age, and the necessary prescriptions. We will look together to see if your child meets the current RIZIV conditions and inform you in advance about the expected cost. As conventioned speech therapists, we follow the official RIZIV rates. If you are eligible for reimbursement, you only pay the co-pay; otherwise, the full fee. You can find the exact, annually indexed amounts and the full explanation under «How a trajectory works».
Indicative rates 2026 (30 min). The exact, indexed amounts and the full explanation can be found on the services page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor's prescription?
Not for the introductory meeting. Reimbursed therapy usually requires a medical prescription — we will explain step by step which documents you need.
How long does a session take and how often do we come?
An individual session lasts 30 minutes. We will agree on the frequency together (usually 1 to 2 times a week), tailored to your child.
Can therapy take place at school or at home?
In consultation, therapy at school is sometimes possible; home-based support is considered on a case-by-case basis.
What if my child does not (yet) have a diagnosis?
That is not necessary. During the introductory meeting and any assessment, we will look together at what is going on and what makes sense.
Ready for a first step?
Still unsure if this fits your child? Schedule a no-obligation appointment — we will gladly look into it together.