What Is a Plan of Care in Speech-Language Pathology?

If your child has recently had a speech and language evaluation, you may hear the term Plan of Care (POC) come up. But what exactly is it?

A Plan of Care is a document created by your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) after the initial evaluation. It serves as a clear summary of what was discovered during that assessment—such as any speech, language, or communication challenges your child may be experiencing. Think of it as a roadmap that outlines where your child is now and where we’re hoping to go through therapy.

The POC includes:

• A brief summary of findings from the evaluation
• A diagnosis, if applicable
• Recommendations for therapy- like how often sessions are needed
• Specific goals tailored to your child’s needs

These goals are important—they guide every therapy session and help track your child’s progress over time.

Another key part of the Plan of Care is communication. The POC is shared with your child’s primary care provider (PCP), so they’re informed about what’s happening in therapy. This team-based approach ensures everyone involved in your child’s care is on the same page.

As a parent, the Plan of Care helps you understand the focus of therapy and how we’ll support your child’s development step by step. It is beneficial to take some time and review it so you know what your child’s SLP is working on during treatment sessions. If you ever have questions, your SLP is always there to walk you through it.

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