The speech therapist deals with oral and written language disorders of children, but also of adults. It treats, for example, dyslexia problems, speech and language delays, stuttering or pronunciation defects. How much does a speech therapy session cost?
Definition: what is a speech therapist?
A Speech Therapist is a paramedical professional, who practices speech therapy, that is to say management of various spoken and written language and communication disorders. Difficulties in pronouncing sounds correctly and in articulating are often linked to damage to the vocal organs (genetic malformation, various diseases), in particular the larynx and the vocal cords. Those related to learning to read and write may be due to brain damage or diseases such as dyslexia. Many language disorders can be cured or at least improved using specific exercises performed with the support of a speech therapist.
What is the role of the speech therapist?
A speech therapist supports in children or adults for troubles:
- language,
- of speech,
- of the voice,
- swallowing,
- of breathing.
It provides valuable assistance for people with neurological pathologies such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s disease or for those who have been victims of trauma. He develops with the patient an education program including exercises to improve many problems, especially those related to stuttering, dyslexia and dysphasia, writing or arithmetic difficulties or those related to the loss of speech. The role of the speech therapist is to define the nature of the disorder, and to practice rehabilitation. It intervenes on prescription of a doctor, most often a general practitioner, a pediatrician, an (ENT), a neurologist or a geriatrician.
You can consult a speech therapist at any age.
When do you need to see a speech therapist?
The speech therapist intervenes in a variety of situations that concern all ages. It is advisable to consult it in case of:
- disorders and delay oral language in children (articulatory disorders, language and speech delays, often more or less associated), dysphasia (more severe and structural impairment of language),
- disorders of written language (dyslexia, dysorthographia, dysgraphia),
- disorders of logical-mathematical reasoning (dyscalculia),
- disorders secondary to sensory impairment (demutization of deaf children, education in lip reading and hearing aids or cochlear implants),
- disorders related to genetic diseases (trisomy 21, fragile X syndrome, rare diseases)
- disorders related to neurological diseases (severe prematurity, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.) which can cause aphasia, dysphagia, dysarthria.
- It helps in the communication and language education of children with pervasive developmental disorders (autism, Asperger’s), or in case of breathing, articulation and swallowing disorders (in the context of orthodontic treatment for example) or linked to congenital malformations of the face (cleft velo-lip-palate).
- He treats the stutteringverbal fluency disorders, dysphonia and dysody (singing voice disorders) related to organic or functional impairment of the larynx.
The number of sessions varies between 30 and 50 and their duration varies between 30 and 45 minutes. Before any treatment, the speech therapist practices a speech therapy report which allows him to assess swallowing, phonation, oral and written language, dyscalculia and disorders of logical-mathematical reasoning, disorders of neurological origin or stuttering. He then establishes the number of sessions required and sends a report to the doctor and a request for prior agreement with the Health Insurance Fund on which the insured depends. Speech therapists generally practice as a liberal profession, within a firm. They can also be employees in the public or private sector, in various structures:
- Crib,
- PMI,
- Daycare,
- CMP (Medical Psychological Center),
- Retirement home,
- Hospital Center.
As with any consultation with a health professional, it is best to bring with you all the documents that may be related to the problem: medical reports, radiological examinations, treatment…
Always choose a qualified speech therapist to benefit from health insurance coverage. The relationship between the speech therapist and his patient is important in overcoming difficulties. The person who consults must feel valued. A large part of psychology intervenes because the language is dependent on the psychic life. The speech therapist must be acalming, encouraging, understanding and available because he meets vulnerable people.
It takes on average between 20 and 39 euros per session
How much does a speech therapy session cost?
Speech therapists are contracted professionals, therefore their rates are fixed. Excess fees are rare. The price of the check-ups and sessions varies according to the quotation of the acts of the AMO (Acte Médical Orthophonique), it is necessary to count on average between 20 and 39 euros per session with a refund of CPAM of 60%.
What studies to become a speech therapist?
To become a speech therapist, it is necessary to obtain the speech therapy capacity certificate (CCO). The studies take place over four years, in one of the seventeen training establishments attached to a University Hospital Centre. The diploma is recognized in Masters level 2 since January 2013. To enter speech therapist school, you must be tholder of the baccalaureate and pass the entrance examination. Some schools require applicants to have completed a first year of higher education. For four years, the speech therapist student follows theoretical and practical lessons. Internships are carried out every year. He studies the language and hearing sciences, psychology, psychiatry, gerontology, neurology, assessment and rehabilitation methods, ethics and legislation. At the end of the fourth year, a thesis must be presented.