Stuttering
Does your child repeat sounds or words, does speaking block or do they get frustrated while talking? Stuttering is a fluency disorder. With the right, timely support, a lot can be gained — at all ages.
Deze dienst wordt bij ons gegeven door Aline.
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech fluency disorder. Speech is interrupted by repetitions (b-b-ball), prolongations (mmmmom) or blocks (where no sound comes out for a moment).
What does this mean in practice? In addition to the audible dysfluencies, you sometimes see tension, associated movements (eyes, face) or avoidance of certain words or situations. Stuttering can vary from day to day and often increases with tension or fatigue.
Important distinction. In young children, a period of dysfluent speech is common and sometimes resolves on its own. If it persists, tension increases or stuttering runs in the family, an assessment is recommended — the earlier, the better.
Mogelijke signalen
Do you recognize any of these signs? That does not automatically mean there is a disorder — an intake appointment helps to see together what is going on.
- repetitions of sounds, syllables or words
- prolongations of sounds
- blocks: the word just won't come out for a moment
- visible tension or associated movements
- avoidance of words, speaking or situations
When is help useful?
- Typical support question: «Our child stutters, and we notice that it is starting to bother them.»
- Who refers: the (family) doctor, Kind & Gezin, the school or the CLB.
- Age: at any age — with young children, early support is most effective.
- Warning signs not to wait: increasing tension, avoidance, or stuttering lasting longer than half a year.
Step by step
- 1Registrationyou / parent
You contact the practice.
- 2Medical prescription for the assessmentgeneral practitioner / specialist
A medical prescription for the speech therapy assessment.
- 3Intake & speech therapy assessmentspeech therapist + parent
Introduction, the support question, and discussion of the medical history. A targeted assessment is conducted using standardized tests.
- 4Stuttering assessmentspeech therapist
We map the dysfluencies and the impact.
- 5Analysis & conclusionspeech therapist + parent
The results are combined into a diagnostic picture. A report of the assessment is drawn up.
- 6Medical prescription for the therapy
Have a medical prescription for the treatment signed by a specialist. The application form is sent to the health insurance fund.
- 7Decision advising physicianspeech therapist + parent
The health insurance fund approves the reimbursement.
- 8Tailored therapyspeech therapist + child + parent
Support of child and environment.
- 9Evaluation & follow-upspeech therapist
Adjusting based on progress.
Who is involved?
- NoodzakelijkAline (speech therapist)Stuttering is supported in our practice by Aline.
- NoodzakelijkParent / guardianFor young children, the environment is a central part of the approach.
- NoodzakelijkChildIs central; the approach is adapted to age.
- Noodzakelijk(Family) doctorFor the medical prescription within the RIZIV procedure.
- AanbevolenSchool / CLBFor coordination and a stutter-friendly classroom environment.
Assessment & testing
A stuttering assessment looks broader than just the audible dysfluencies: tension, avoidance, and the impact on daily life are also part of it.
Nature & frequency of the disfluencies
Speech therapist · Ja — criteriumwaarde per fiche
Tension, avoidance, well-being
Speech therapist · Onderdeel bilan
Stuttering is one of the reimbursable disorders (if demonstrated via the assessment) and has no strict age limit: adults can also be eligible.
What can a result mean?
Clear fluency disorder
The number and type of disfluencies (repetitions, prolongations, blocks) and associated tension indicate stuttering. We immediately propose a suitable therapy plan.
Beginning or mild stuttering
The disfluencies are still limited or variable. Often, short-term support with advice to the environment suffices; we closely monitor the evolution.
Normal disfluency
In young children, a certain degree of disfluency is part of language development. If there is no stuttering, we gladly give advice and follow up again later if necessary.
The therapy
- Approach for young children
- Often indirect: creating a smooth, relaxed speaking environment through the parents and the environment (e.g., principles from the Lidcombe program).
- Approach for older children & adults
- More direct: techniques to speak more fluently and with less tension, as well as working on experience and avoidance.
- Frequency
- Typically 1 session per week, within the RIZIV framework.
- Session duration
- 30 minutes (individual).
- Role of the parents
- Very important, especially with young children: you are part of the key to progress.
What does it cost?
Stuttering can be reimbursed under certain conditions via RIZIV and your health insurance fund. In short:
You only pay the patient co-payment (±€2 with increased allowance). Your health insurance fund reimburses the largest part.
The full fee, e.g. when the RIZIV conditions are not met.
- a valid medical prescription (assessment + treatment);
- a stuttering assessment that meets the RIZIV criteria;
- approval by the medical advisor of your health insurance fund.
Unlike learning disorders, there is no strict age limit for stuttering. As conventioned (official rates) speech therapists, we follow the official RIZIV rates. If you are eligible for reimbursement, you only pay the patient co-payment; otherwise the full fee. The exact, annually indexed amounts and the complete explanation can be found under "What a pathway looks like".
Indicative rates 2026 (30 min). You can find the exact, indexed amounts and the full explanation on the services page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a medical prescription from the doctor?
Not for the intake. For reimbursed therapy, a medical prescription is usually required — we will explain step by step which documents you need.
How long does a session last and how often do we come?
An individual session takes 30 minutes. The frequency (usually 1 to 2 times a week) will be discussed together, tailored to your child.
Can the therapy take place at school or at home?
In consultation, therapy at school is sometimes possible; support at home is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What if my child does not (yet) have a diagnosis?
That is not necessary. During the intake and a potential assessment, we will discuss together what is going on and what makes sense.
Ready for a first step?
Are you still in doubt whether this suits your child? Make a non-binding appointment — together we will look at it calmly.