In short: Romania has inter-school speech therapy clinics (CLI), integrated special-education structures coordinated by CJRAE (the County Resource and Educational Assistance Centre). Services are free for children in state education, within the limits of available places. The simplest entry point is the teacher or school counsellor at your child’s unit, who will direct you to the assigned speech therapist.
This is one of the least known resources for parents in Cluj: many pay for private sessions without realising a free route exists through the education system.
What CJRAE is and what the speech clinics are
CJRAE is the county structure that coordinates educational assistance services: school counselling, assessment, specific therapies and speech therapy. In Cluj county this is CJRAE Cluj.
Inter-school speech therapy clinics and centres (CLI) are integrated special-education structures, financed, coordinated, monitored and evaluated by CJRAE. They serve children and pupils with language and communication disorders, as well as specific learning difficulties.
The legal framework comes from Order no. 5,555/2011, which approves the CJRAE organisation and functioning regulation, and from the framework regulation on the organisation and functioning of inter-school speech therapy centres and clinics.
Important to grasp: the CLI speech therapist does not work in a private practice but within the school network. That is why access is normally through the education unit rather than by booking directly as you would with a private clinic.
When to request a speech assessment
There is no age that is “too early” for an assessment, but there are indicative markers that justify a conversation with a specialist:
| Age | Signs worth assessing |
|---|---|
| 18–24 months | Very few words, does not imitate sounds, does not point |
| 2–3 years | Does not combine two words, hard to understand even for family |
| 3–4 years | Speech unclear to people outside the family, very short sentences |
| 4–5 years | Sounds consistently omitted or substituted, marked hesitation, persistent stuttering |
| 5–6 years | Remaining pronunciation difficulties, expression problems ahead of the preparatory class |
Other situations worth assessing: a sudden regression in speech, difficulty understanding simple instructions, or when the teacher repeatedly flags a problem.
Bilingual children: exposure to two languages does not cause language disorders, but it can make assessment more complex and delay detection. If the language at home differs from the group’s, ask for the assessment to take that into account. See our guide on choosing the language of instruction for a bilingual child.
A generally accepted principle: early intervention works better. The preschool period is considered the optimal time to start.
How to get access, step by step
1. Talk to the teacher. She observes your child daily in a group and can compare with peers. Ask for something concrete: which sounds are missing, how understandable your child is to adults outside the family.
2. Ask about the school counsellor or the speech therapist assigned to the unit. Many units in Cluj have access to a CJRAE clinic. This is usually the shortest route.
3. File the assessment request. It is submitted by the parent or legal representative. Ask the front office or the counsellor for the exact list of documents.
4. Prepare the usual documents. Generally: the request, a copy of the child’s birth certificate and the parent’s ID, plus any relevant medical documents (ENT, audiology, neurology). Confirm the exact list with CJRAE Cluj.
5. Initial assessment. The speech therapist determines whether there is a disorder, what type, and whether therapy is recommended.
6. Enrolment in therapy. If recommended, the child enters an individualised language therapy programme adapted to their needs.
⚑ Documents and the exact procedure can change from year to year. Confirm the current list directly with CJRAE Cluj or with your child’s unit.
Free through CJRAE vs. private: how to choose
| Criterion | CJRAE / CLI | Private practice |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Per-session fee |
| Access | Through the education unit | Direct booking |
| Waiting time | Usually longer | Usually shorter |
| Places | Limited by available posts | Limited by the diary |
| Frequency | Set by the programme | Negotiable |
| Continuity | Within the school year | All year |
In practice, many families in Cluj combine the two: they start the assessment through CJRAE and, if the waiting list is long and the issue urgent, add private sessions. They are not mutually exclusive.
Important: free services are provided within the limits of available places, and priority is set by the severity of the case. File the request early, not in the last month before the preparatory class.
Why it matters before school
Language level is part of readiness for the preparatory class. For children turning 6 between 1 September and 31 December, a recommendation on developmental level is required, issued by the kindergarten or by CJRAE. Details in our guide on moving from kindergarten to the preparatory class.
CJRAE also offers services beyond speech therapy: psychological counselling, assessment for school orientation, and support for children with special educational needs. See also enrolling a child with special educational needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is speech therapy free in Cluj? Yes, through the inter-school speech therapy clinics coordinated by CJRAE Cluj, for children in state education, within the limits of available places. Private practices operate separately, for a fee.
How do I get a speech assessment for my child? Most simply through the teacher or school counsellor at your child’s unit, who will direct you to the assigned speech therapist. The assessment request is submitted by the parent or legal representative.
From what age can a child have speech therapy? There is no strict limit, and early intervention is usually more effective. The preschool period is considered the optimal time to start.
How long is the wait for a CJRAE speech therapy place? It depends on the year, the number of posts and the severity of cases. Services are provided within the limits of available places, which is why filing early is recommended.
Does bilingualism cause speech delay? Exposure to two languages does not cause language disorders. It can make assessment more complex, which is why it helps to mention the languages spoken at home when requesting an assessment.
Does CJRAE only provide speech therapy? No. CJRAE also coordinates school counselling, psychological assessment, and services for children with special educational needs.
Sources
- Order no. 5,555/2011 — CJRAE organisation and functioning regulation (PDF) — Ministry of Education
- Framework regulation on inter-school speech therapy centres and clinics — Lege5
- CJRAE Cluj — organisation and functioning regulation (PDF)
- CJRAE Cluj — official site — for current documents and procedures
- Cluj County School Inspectorate
Conclusion
If you have a concern about your child’s speech, the first step costs nothing: a conversation with the teacher and a question about the speech therapist assigned to the unit. Services through CJRAE Cluj are free but limited in number of places — which is why asking early matters, rather than in the final kindergarten year.
If you are still choosing a unit, check the piticluj.ro interactive map to see the options in your neighbourhood. See also our data sources.