Taalachterstand
Praat je kind later of minder dan leeftijdsgenootjes, is het moeilijk te begrijpen of vindt het niet de juiste woorden? Bij een taalachterstand komt de taal moeizamer op gang. Vroeg starten helpt.
What is language delay?
A language delay is a delayed development of language, in which a child acquires language skills more slowly than peers. The language usually develops according to the normal pattern, but at a slower pace. A language delay can have various causes, such as limited language input, hearing problems, or a general developmental delay, and can sometimes (partially or fully) be overcome with targeted support.
What does this mean in practice? Your child may have a small vocabulary, makes short or grammatically incorrect sentences, confuses words, or has difficulty understanding instructions. This can weigh on contact, play, and later on learning at school.
Important distinction. A language delay is a delayed language development, whereas dysphasia is a severe developmental language disorder in which language development proceeds fundamentally differently and is not merely slower. A developmental language disorder usually persists, but improvement is possible with support.
Mogelijke signalen
Herken je enkele van deze signalen? Dat betekent niet automatisch dat er een stoornis is — een intakegesprek helpt om samen te bekijken wat er speelt.
- talks later or less than peers
- small vocabulary, often searches for words
- short or grammatically incorrect sentences
- difficulty understanding instructions or stories
- is difficult to understand by others
When is help useful?
- Typical support question: «My child talks much less than other children of that age.»
- Who refers: Kind & Gezin, the school, the CLB, or the (family) doctor/pediatrician.
- Age: the earlier, the better — assessment is also useful for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Important: a hearing problem is first ruled out via a hearing test.
Step by step
- 1Registrationyou / parent
You contact the practice with your support question.
- 2Medical prescription for the assessmentGP / specialist
A medical prescription for the speech therapy bilan.
- 3Intake & speech therapy bilanspeech therapist + parent
Introduction, the support question and discussion of the medical history. A targeted assessment is conducted using standardized tests.
- 4External assessmentspsychologist / ENT doctor
Conducting an IQ assessment with a psychologist and a hearing test with an ENT doctor/audiologist.
- 5Analysis & conclusionspeech therapist
The results are combined into a diagnostic picture. A report of the assessment is drawn up.
- 6Medical prescription for therapyspecialist
Have a medical prescription for the treatment signed by a specialist. The application form is sent to the health insurance fund.
- 7Decision of the advisory physicianhealth insurance fund
The health insurance fund approves the reimbursement.
- 8Tailored therapyspeech therapist + child + parent
Support for your child, together with you.
- 9Evaluation & extensionspeech therapist
Monitoring of progress, and continuation or completion.
Assessment & testing
We assess both language comprehension and language use using standardized language tests from the RIZIV list, adapted to age.
How well does your child understand language
Speech therapist · Ja — criteriumwaarde per fiche
Vocabulary, sentence structure, storytelling
Speech therapist · Ja — criteriumwaarde per fiche
Rule out hearing loss
ENT doctor / audiologist · Voorafgaand vereist
Since September 2024, monodisciplinary speech therapy for DLD can also be reimbursed for children with an IQ lower than 86 (provided the conditions are met). The speech therapist selects the appropriate tests from the RIZIV list.
De therapie
- Goals
- Getting language going: vocabulary, sentence structure, comprehension, and communication, through play and tailored to your child.
- Frequency
- Usually 1 to 2 sessions per week, within the RIZIV framework.
- Session duration
- 30 minutes (individually).
- Role of the parents
- Very large: stimulating language in daily life, reading and naming together. We coach you in this.
- Role of the school
- Coordination with the classroom teacher or kindergarten teacher.
- Evaluation
- Periodic; extension based on progress.
What are the costs?
A language delay can be reimbursed under certain conditions via the 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 prior hearing test that rules out hearing loss;
- a speech therapy assessment with scores below the threshold values from the RIZIV list; administration of a valid intelligence test by a psychologist;
- approval by the medical advisor of your health insurance fund.
Specific conditions apply for reimbursement regarding diagnosis, assessment, age and necessary medical prescriptions, among other things. Since September 2024, this is also possible with an IQ lower than 86. 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 full explanation can be found under "Zo verloopt een traject".
Indicative rates 2026 (30 min). The exact, indexed amounts and the complete explanation can be found on the services page.
Veelgestelde vragen
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 lasts 30 minutes. The frequency (usually 1 to 2 times a week) is agreed upon together, tailored to your child.
Can the therapy take place at school or at home?
In consultation, therapy at school is sometimes possible; home support 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 look together at what is going on and what is useful.
Klaar voor een eerste stap?
Twijfel je nog of dit past bij je kind? Maak vrijblijvend een afspraak — samen bekijken we het rustig.