How does the logopedic treatment work?

The logopedic treatment can be started acutely during a hospital stay, in a rehabilitation clinic or also ambulant in a logopedic practice. At the beginning of each treatment a detailed diagnosis is made to clarify the existing disorder.Through targeted tests, the treating speech therapist examines which areas of speech are impaired and, above all, to what extent these disorders are present. In combination with the medical findings, the results of the tests form the basis for the planning of a therapy concept that is individually adapted to the patient.

Logopedic treatment can extend over a long period of time and is based on various exercises and techniques. An essential component is the use of different speech, breathing and swallowing exercises, as well as the development of specific motor speech techniques. A special value is placed on the detailed consultation of patients and their relatives about the existing disease, the causes and the possible treatment goals.

In addition, instructions should be given on how to perform the exercises independently so that the success of the therapy can be further improved. How quickly the desired treatment success is achieved depends not only on the disorder at hand and its extent, but also on the cooperation of the patients and their relatives and requires a lot of patience and perseverance. All in all, however, it can be said that logopedic treatment usually always contributes to an improvement and sometimes can even almost completely eliminate the problem.

Who bears the costs for speech therapy?

If a patient requires logopedic therapy, the question always arises as to who will pay for the treatment. The prescription for the necessity of a logopedic treatment must be issued beforehand by an ear, nose and throat specialist, a neurologist, a pediatrician or an orthodontist. In some cases, a prescription from the family doctor is also sufficient.

If medically necessary, the costs of the therapy are usually covered by the statutory or private health insurance. Children and adolescents up to the age of 18 are generally exempt from co-payments. For adults over 18 years of age, co-payments may be necessary.

This depends entirely on the health insurance company and the necessity of the treatment. Patients who are not exempt from co-payments are required to pay a co-payment of 10% of the health insurance rate, as well as a care fee. The therapy of a reading and spelling weakness, which can also be carried out as part of a logopedic treatment, is usually considered a private service and is not covered by health insurance.