The service planning appointment (initial appointment) is where your speech-language pathology or language-stimulation journey begins. During this appointment, the speech-language pathologist creates a complete picture of your situation, opens a personalized file, or updates an existing file after a pause in services.

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In cases involving a communication and language assistant, this appointment may also serve, when necessary, to update the speech therapy treatment plan so that interventions remain targeted, relevant, and aligned with your needs.​​

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Understanding Your Reality

Before offering any services, the speech-language pathologist must first understand who you are, what you are experiencing, and what you or your child need.

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This appointment is an opportunity for the clinician to get to know you — or your child — through your perspective. After all, no one understands your reality, or your child’s, better than you.

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This appointment is used to:

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• gather relevant medical history, developmental information, and family background

• understand strengths, challenges, observed behaviours, and individual characteristics

• review previous reports, assessments, or documents

• learn about your concerns, expectations, and goals

• discuss past experiences with other professionals

• build a trusting relationship — something essential for respectful, transparent, and collaborative work

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This global picture and the relationship of trust are at the heart of our approach. They guide assessments, therapy, and recommendations to come, ensuring that services truly reflect each person’s reality.

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A Key Clinical Step

This appointment is not a simple administrative formality — it is an essential clinical and ethical step.

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It allows the speech-language pathologist to:

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• confirm that the proposed services are appropriate

• clearly explain the service plan, next steps, and possible types of interventions

• review applicable fees and modalities

• answer all your questions

• ensure that you fully understand the process

• obtain free and informed consent

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After reviewing all information, the speech-language pathologist will:

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• confirm the services best suited to your needs

• discuss possible alternatives, if needed

• review the key points of the service agreement and the consent form

• confirm whether the fees provided in the initial service overview need adjustment

• explain the next steps

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The goal: ensuring that everything is clear, coherent, and aligned with your needs.

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Practical Information

The service planning appointment is offered at a fixed rate and may last up to 45 minutes. It is usually conducted virtually through Zoom.

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To support an optimal clinical analysis, it is recommended that you send all relevant documents to the speech-language pathologist ahead of time. These may include:

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• speech-language pathology assessment reports

• speech-language pathology intervention summaries

• reports from neuropsychology, psychology, psychoeducation, occupational therapy, or educational intervention

• school intervention plans

• report cards

• any other relevant documentation

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Receiving these documents beforehand allows the clinician to develop a more complete understanding of the situation and to offer services that are more precise, targeted, and tailored to your needs.

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Fees and Insurance

Fees are communicated in advance and billed once the appointment is completed.

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Because this appointment is conducted by a speech-language pathologist — even in files involving a communication and language assistant — it is generally eligible for partial or full insurance reimbursement.

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However, it is the client’s responsibility to verify the reimbursement conditions directly with their insurer before the appointment. This allows you to learn:

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• your reimbursement limits (per hour, per session, per day, or per year)

• which services are covered or excluded

• any conditions or restrictions specific to your insurance plan

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Having this information in advance greatly facilitates the discussion during the service planning appointment and helps to:

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• plan a realistic and appropriate service plan based on your needs and your coverage

• avoid surprises or last-minute adjustments

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If a speech-language assessment is anticipated, knowing your insurance details ahead of time also helps determine whether splitting the invoice may help optimize reimbursement. When insurance information is provided to the clinician before or during the service planning appointment, it is sometimes possible to adapt the invoicing to meet the insurer’s criteria — always within ethical guidelines and based solely on services actually rendered.

 

The goal is to help you make fully informed decisions regarding the services to come — whether assessment, speech-language therapy, or language stimulation appointments — with a clear understanding of your situation.