Information for Patients

A speech therapist is used therapeutically when certain disorders are present: In infants and toddlers with congenital malformations in the facial area, in children with central motor disabilities or with congenital hearing impairments. Likewise, young children and school-aged children who have difficulties with language acquisition, pronunciation, or with reading and writing require speech therapy support. Also, children, adolescents, and adults who suffer from speech fluency disorders such as stuttering or cluttering, as well as adolescents and adults with cranial brain injuries – for instance, after traffic accidents – can be assisted by a speech therapist. Furthermore, adults with internal medicine or neurological diseases, such as a stroke, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, are also cared for by speech therapists. Professional groups with high vocal demands, including educators, teachers, actors, and singers, as well as adults after laryngeal surgery, are also clients of a speech therapist.

Speech therapy is a comprehensive field that deals with a variety of communication disorders. This includes treatments for voice, speech, and swallowing disorders as well as speech therapy. Speech therapy is thus a subfield of speech-language pathology and focuses specifically on the treatment of speech disorders, which may manifest as a limited vocabulary, grammatical difficulties, or a reduced ability to find words. Speech-language pathologists, on the other hand, also treat other areas, such as voice problems that may arise due to strain or organic causes, as well as swallowing disorders that often occur after neurological diseases. Overall, speech-language pathology offers a wider spectrum of diagnoses and therapeutic approaches to address the individual needs of patients.

Treatment by a speech therapist must be prescribed by a physician (e.g., pediatrician, general practitioner, ENT specialist, neurologist, dentist, orthodontist, etc.). Only a doctor can issue a prescription for speech, voice, or communication therapy. They determine whether speech therapy is necessary. A speech therapist can only become active and carry out speech therapy diagnostics and treatment on the basis of a prescription.

Children and adolescents under the age of 18 are generally exempt from co-payments for therapy costs. Once a medical prescription is available, the statutory health insurance covers a large part of the costs for the treatment. Adults pay a legally prescribed portion of the costs up to their individual burden limit, which is based on their income and reduced for chronically ill patients.
It is important to keep all proofs of co-payments made carefully – whether in the pharmacy, for medical or therapeutic services, or in the care sector. These proofs enable you to apply for exemption from additional co-payments with your health insurance once the personal burden limit is reached.
Please note that co-payments do not increase the value of the prescription but are directly offset by the health insurance companies as part of the reimbursement. This means that these amounts do not remain with the therapist but go to the health insurance company.

The duration of speech therapy varies greatly depending on several factors. Important aspects include the severity of the underlying disorder or disease, the patient's age, their progress during therapy, and the frequency of sessions. Personal prerequisites, such as motivation, home support, or willingness to participate, also play a significant role.
Since all of these factors are different for each individual, there is no standard answer as to how long speech therapy treatment will last. Each therapy plan is individually tailored to the needs and possibilities of the patient, so the length of the treatment can be re-evaluated during the course of therapy. The goal is always to achieve the best possible results within a timeframe suitable for the patient.

Yes, a personal meeting before starting therapy is not only possible but also highly recommended. During a preliminary discussion, you have the opportunity to meet the speech therapist and clarify initial questions. This conversation is to discuss your individual needs, concerns, and goals so that the therapy can be optimally coordinated for you or your child. You will also gain insight into the therapy process and can discuss together which approaches are most suitable. Such an appointment creates trust and gives you the assurance that you are in good hands. At the same time, the speech therapist can already gather initial impressions and important information for planning the treatment.

At the forefront of my speech therapy work is comprehensive consultation. Depending on the type of speech disorder, I determine where your specific difficulties lie. This, combined with medical diagnoses, serves as a basis for choosing the right treatment method. The actual therapy then begins, in which we define goals together, perform exercises, and have conversations, incorporating elements of psychotherapy if necessary.
When working with children, I pay special attention to making the therapy content child-friendly. Conversations with parents are important to me because they can significantly contribute to their children practicing the exercises at home effectively.
The treatment of stroke patients in the home environment requires special attention; here, the involvement and support of relatives play a central role. In any everyday situation, conflicts can arise from misunderstandings and lack of communication, which in turn can lead to helplessness and overwhelm.

A variety of methods are used in speech therapy, tailored individually to the needs of the patients. Evidence-based approaches play a central role, meaning that the methods used are based on scientific findings and proven practical experience. Interactive exercises, such as repeating, tracing sounds, or role-playing, promote active learning. For children, playful activities are incorporated to keep motivation high and make learning varied. Technical aids, such as speech apps or therapeutic devices, can also be used as needed. Additionally, breathing and relaxation exercises, articulation training, or voice techniques may be part of the therapy. The goal is always to adapt the exercises to the individual capabilities and challenges of the patient.

Yes, homework is an important part of speech therapy and contributes significantly to the success of the treatment. These exercises are intended to reinforce and deepen the skills learned in the sessions. They often consist of short, everyday tasks that can be easily integrated into the daily routine. For example, these could be language exercises, articulation tasks, or voice training, which vary depending on the therapy goal. For children, often playful exercises are suggested to promote motivation. Regularly performing these homework assignments helps accelerate progress and enhance the effectiveness of the therapy. Should questions or uncertainties arise about the exercises, they can be discussed and adjusted in the sessions to ensure success.

As a patient or relative, you play a central role in the success of the therapy. Active and motivated participation in the sessions is essential. Equally important is regular practice at home to consolidate and apply what has been learned. Clear routines help integrate the exercises into daily life. For parents of children in therapy, it is helpful to playfully incorporate speech therapy approaches into everyday situations, such as during reading aloud or playing together. Open communication with the speech therapist is also critical. Share observations, progress, or potential challenges so that the therapy can be individually adapted. This close collaboration creates a supportive environment that significantly promotes therapy success.