Your child’s doctor or teacher has just recommended a speech therapy assessment. You call the practices in your town… and then the shock: a minimum 12-month wait. Sometimes 18. In some areas, the lists are even closed. Tens of thousands of French families go through this every year — and in the meantime, the child’s difficulties take hold, the gaps at school widen, and the parents’ worry grows.
The good news: there are now concrete solutions so you do not stay stuck. Here is what you can do, starting now.
Book a speech therapy assessment
Appointment available within a few days · State-certified speech therapists · Report recognised for PAP & MDPH
Why are the waiting lists so long?
The shortage of speech therapists in France is structural. The number of professionals trained each year is not keeping up with rising demand, which is itself driven by better detection of dys disorders, ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders. In rural areas or some suburbs, the situation is even tighter: these are real speech therapy deserts.
The result: a child who shows signs of dyslexia in CE1 (the second year of primary school) may reach CM2 (the fifth year) without ever having had access to an official diagnosis. No assessment, no PAP (Plan d’Accompagnement Personnalisé, a personalised support plan). No PAP, no school adjustments. The delay builds up.
Solution 1 — Widen your geographical search
The first natural reaction is to call the speech therapists in your town. But if you widen your search radius to 30 or 40 km, your chances of finding an available slot increase significantly.
⚠️ Limitation: this solution involves regular journeys, often incompatible with parents’ work commitments and children’s school hours.
Solution 2 — Ask to be put on a cancellation list
Speech therapists regularly have last-minute cancellations. Calling practices directly to get on their cancellation list may get you an appointment several months before your turn.
A few tips:
- Call early in the morning; cancellations often come in the day before or the same morning.
- Be available at short notice and do not hesitate to call back regularly (without being intrusive).
- Contact several practices at the same time.
⚠️ Limitation: this approach depends on luck and can take many months with no guarantee of a result.
Solution 3 — Ask your GP for a priority referral
In some cases (severe language disorders, suspected developmental language disorder, major difficulties at school), the GP or paediatrician can refer the child to a hospital service or a priority care network. Medical-psychological-educational centres (CMPP) and coordination and referral platforms (PCO) for children under 7 sometimes offer speech therapy assessments with shorter waiting times for urgent cases.
Also remember to tell the teacher and the head teacher about your child’s difficulties: some specialised academic support schemes can be activated while waiting for the official assessment. Our online academic support team can support your child during this waiting period.
⚠️ Limitation: public services are also under strain. Waiting times there are often shorter than in private practice but remain significant.
Solution 4 — The online speech therapy assessment: the fastest answer
This is currently the most effective solution for families who cannot wait. Speech teletherapy makes it possible to carry out a complete speech therapy assessment by video conference, from your home, with a state-certified speech therapist.
Contrary to popular belief, the online assessment is not a watered-down version of the office assessment. The tests used are the same — standardised and normed on the French population — and the report produced has exactly the same administrative value:
✓ Recognised for putting together an MDPH application
✓ Valid for a PAP request to the school
✓ Accepted for exam adjustments (extra time for the brevet and the bac)
✓ Can be shared with the GP, the paediatrician and other health professionals
At ORA-VISIO, online speech therapy assessments are carried out by speech therapists specialised in neurodevelopmental disorders (dys disorders, ADHD, ASD). An appointment is generally available within a few days, and the report is delivered within 7 to 10 days.
Book a speech therapy assessment
Appointment available within a few days · State-certified speech therapists · Report recognised for PAP & MDPH
Is the online assessment reliable? What parents say
Initial reluctance is normal. Many parents wonder whether an assessment carried out remotely can really be serious. The answer is yes — provided the speech therapist is qualified and the protocol used is rigorous.
“My daughter had been on a waiting list for 2 years. We were finally able to have a speech therapy assessment that helped us put a name to the difficulties she is facing!” — Véronique, mother of a pupil followed via ORA-VISIO
The video format even has some advantages: the child is in their familiar environment, which can reduce their anxiety and help them feel confident. For some profiles (ADHD, dyspraxia), sessions at home often prove more comfortable.
While waiting for the assessment: what can you do at home and at school?
Time on the waiting list should not be wasted time. Several actions can help your child right now:
At school:
- Tell the teacher about the difficulties you have observed and ask for a meeting with the head teacher or the school psychologist.
- Ask for informal teaching adjustments while waiting for the PAP (more time for tests, enlarged texts, reading aloud…).
At home:
- Reduce the pressure around homework: children who are struggling often have fragile self-esteem.
- Focus on shared reading aloud and language games (riddles, word games, made-up stories).
- Specialised academic support can usefully complement this waiting period.
Our team also offers parental guidance to help families better understand and support their child during this period.
FAQ — Your questions about the speech therapist waiting list
Can you get a speech therapy assessment without a prescription?
The speech therapy assessment itself does not always require a prescription. However, for the therapy sessions that follow to be reimbursed by French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie), a medical prescription is essential. For a private diagnostic assessment (such as those offered by teleconsultation), no prescription is required.
My child is on a waiting list: can I start therapy before the assessment?
No. The assessment is the mandatory step before any speech therapy: it identifies the disorders and guides the therapy work. Without an assessment, it is not possible to put appropriate support in place or to obtain official adjustments. That is precisely why not waiting is so important.
Is an online assessment reimbursed by French social security?
Assessments carried out outside the social security agreement (such as private teleconsultation assessments) are not reimbursed by Assurance Maladie. Some supplementary health insurers (mutuelles) cover part of the cost — check with your insurer. For expats, many international health insurance policies reimburse teleconsultations.
From what age can a speech therapy assessment be done online?
Teleconsultation assessments are suitable for children from the age of 3, teenagers and adults. For very young children (under 3), the presence of a parent is essential.
Conclusion: do not wait for the situation to get worse
The waiting list for a speech therapist is a difficult reality, but it should not leave you without a solution. Every month without a diagnosis is another month in which your child faces their difficulties alone — without the right tools, without the right adjustments.
The online speech therapy assessment is now a serious alternative, available within a few days, with a report recognised by the French national education system and the authorities. If your child needs an assessment, do not put it off.
Book a speech therapy assessment
Appointment available within a few days · State-certified speech therapists · Report recognised for PAP & MDPH
