Phonetic articulation disorder
Does your child mispronounce one or a few sounds — a lisping /s/, a difficult /r/? In an articulation disorder, a sound is not formed correctly at the motor level. This can often be easily remedied with targeted practice.
What is an articulation disorder?
An articulation disorder is a speech disorder in which one or a few sounds are produced incorrectly in terms of motor skills: the tongue, lips, or jaw are not in the right position. The sound system in the brain is fine — it's about the execution.
What does this mean in practice? Think of a lisp (the /s/ between the teeth), an /r/ that doesn't work out, or a sound that sounds distorted. Usually, this involves a limited number of sounds and your child is otherwise easily understood.
Important distinction. Unlike a phonological disorder (patterns in the sound system), this concerns the motor production of a specific sound. That distinction is important, also for reimbursement.
Mogelijke signalen
Do you recognize some of these signs? That doesn't automatically mean there is a disorder — an intake interview helps to see together what is going on.
- lisps (e.g., the /s/ or /z/ between the teeth)
- cannot produce a specific sound or produces it in a distorted way (e.g., the /r/)
- the mistake is always on the same sound(s)
- is otherwise easily understood
When is help useful?
- Typical request for help: «Our son/daughter lisps» or «the /r/ just won't work».
- Who refers: the school, the CLB, the (family) doctor or the dentist/orthodontist.
- Age: some sounds develop later; we take into account what is normal for the age.
Step by step
- 1Registrationyou / parent
You contact the practice.
- 2Prescription for the assessmentGP/specialist
A medical prescription for the speech therapy assessment.
- 3Intake & speech therapy assessmentspeech therapist
Getting acquainted, discussing the request for help and the history. A targeted assessment is conducted using standardized tests.
- 4Analysis & conclusion
The results are compiled into a diagnostic profile. A report of the assessment is prepared.
- 5Prescription for therapy
Having a prescription for the treatment signed by a specialist. The application form is sent to the health insurance fund.
- 6Decision of the advisory physician
The health insurance fund approves the reimbursement.
- 7Tailored therapyspeech therapist + child + parent
Teaching and reinforcing correct sound production.
- 8Completionspeech therapist
When the sound is produced fluently, spontaneously, and correctly.
Assessment & tests
The assessment is targeted: we look at which sounds your child forms correctly and incorrectly, and in which positions.
Which sound(s) are incorrectly formed
Speech therapist · Niet terugbetaalbaar
The therapy
- Goals
- Teaching the correct sound production, practicing it, and generalizing it to spontaneous speech.
- Frequency
- Usually 1 session per week.
- Session duration
- 30 minutes (individual).
- Role of parents
- Brief daily practice together makes a big difference in the pace.
- Duration of the trajectory
- Often relatively short, depending on the sound and the persistence.
What does it cost?
Important: a pure articulation disorder is generally not reimbursed by the RIZIV.
You only pay the co-pay (±€2 with increased intervention). Your health insurance covers the major part.
The full fee, e.g., when RIZIV conditions are not met.
There are two exceptions where there is RIZIV reimbursement: when the articulation problems are the result of a structural abnormality (dysglossia), or when they coincide with orthodontic treatment (oromyofunctional therapy). In most cases you pay for the session yourself; many health insurance funds provide a reimbursement of approximately €10 per session via their supplementary insurance. We will look at your specific situation during the intake.
Indicative rates 2026 (30 min). You can find the exact, indexed amounts and the complete explanation on the services page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription from the doctor?
Not for the intake. For reimbursed therapy, a medical prescription is usually required — we will guide you step by step through the documents you need.
How long does a session last and how often do we come?
An individual session lasts 30 minutes. We will agree on the frequency (usually 1 to 2 times a week) together, tailored to your child.
Can the therapy take place at school or at home?
In consultation, therapy at school is sometimes possible; home guidance 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 evaluation, we will look together at what is going on and what makes sense.
Ready for a first step?
Still doubting whether this applies to your child? Make a non-binding appointment — together we will calmly assess the situation.