Understanding Your Child’s Plan of Care

Every child’s journey is unique, and their therapy plan should be, too. At Pediatric Movement Center (PMC), we partner with families to create individualized plans of care that support each child’s development, address their needs, and help them work toward the goals that matter most to their family. After your child’s evaluation, you may have questions about how often they will attend therapy, how long treatment might last, and what happens when they reach their goals. Understanding your child’s plan of care can help you feel confident and prepared as you navigate the therapy journey together.

What Is a Plan of Care?

A plan of care is a roadmap for your child’s therapy. Based on the evaluation, your therapist will work with you to establish a plan that outlines:

• Goals: The skills your child will work on, based on their evaluation, individual needs, and your family’s priorities.
• Frequency: How many therapy visits your child may need each week.
• Duration: An estimated timeframe for working toward their goals.
• Graduation or discharge plan: What success may look like and how your child can continue building skills when regular therapy is complete.

Your child’s plan of care is not set in stone. We review progress regularly and adjust the plan as your child grows, develops new skills, and experiences changes in their needs.

How Do We Determine How Often and How Long My Child Needs Therapy?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Your therapist considers several factors, including your child’s evaluation results, the complexity of their needs, their response to treatment, and your family’s schedule. As a general guide, therapy schedules may look like this:

• Focused needs: Children working toward one primary goal may attend two to three visits per week for fewer than 12 weeks.
• Moderate needs: Children addressing several related goals may attend one to two visits per week for approximately three to six months.
• More complex needs: Children working on multiple areas may attend one to three visits per week for more than six months.

These timeframes are examples, not guarantees. Your therapist will recommend an approach based on your child’s individual circumstances and will discuss any adjustments as therapy progresses.

*Visit patterns for behavioral therapy  and nutrition services may differ. Your clinician will explain the recommended approach for your child.

Are There Different Ways to Receive Therapy?

Yes! Traditional, regularly scheduled therapy is one option, but it is not the only approach. Depending on your child’s needs and goals, your therapist may recommend a different model of care.

1. Intensive therapy: Intensive therapy involves a concentrated period of treatment, often four to five visits per week for two to four weeks. This approach may be appropriate when working toward a specific goal following surgery or specialized treatment.
2. Episodic therapy: Episodic care involves completing a block of therapy, taking a planned break to practice skills at home and in everyday environments, and returning for another block when needed. This approach can be helpful during major transitions, growth spurts, or periods when new challenges arise.
3. Consultation: Consultation involves periodic check-in visits, such as monthly or every few months. These visits allow your therapist to review progress, update home activities or programs, and answer questions while your child continues practicing skills outside of the clinic.

Your Family Is an Important Part of the Plan

Therapy does not happen only during scheduled visits. The strategies and skills your child practices at home, at school, and in the community are essential to building lasting progress.You can support your child’s plan of care by:

• Sharing your priorities
• Practicing at home
• Attending appointments consistently
• Communicating changes
• Asking questions

Your observations matter! You see your child in the environments where they live, learn, and play, and your perspective helps us make informed decisions together.

Planning for Progress Beyond Therapy

At PMC, our goal is not simply to help your child make progress during therapy visits. We want them to develop skills they can use confidently in everyday life. That is why we begin thinking about graduation from therapy on day one. As your child works toward their goals, we also consider how they will maintain and build on their progress at home, at school, and in the community. Graduation may mean your child has achieved their goals or is ready to continue progressing with a home program and everyday activities. If their needs change, we may recommend another approach, such as consultation or a future course of therapy. Your therapist will work with you to understand what comes next and help you feel prepared for the transition.

Questions to Ask Your Child’s Therapist

You are an active partner in your child’s care, and you should feel comfortable asking questions throughout the process. Consider asking:

• What are my child’s most important goals right now?
• How will we measure progress?
• Why are you recommending this therapy frequency and duration?
• What can we do at home to support progress?
• When will we review the plan of care?
• What will my child be able to do when regular therapy is complete?

Every child’s progress looks different, and every plan of care should reflect that. At PMC, we are here to partner with your family, celebrate each milestone, and help your child build skills that last well beyond the therapy room.