In-person visits in both offices
While we are working our way thru this hot, unprecedented summer, we have been also working hard to ensure safe in-person visits in our office. Our slow re-opening in VA has been successful in many ways. Our clinicians have been diligent about the required cleaning in between sessions and at the end of the day. Families have been conscientious about arriving on time and canceling ahead if any cold/flu symptoms have emerged. We are experimenting with a variety of masks (cloth, face shields, and clear mouth piece) to follow best safety practices, but also provide best therapy practices. With all that said, we are ready to move forward with continued in-person scheduling in both our Falls Church AND DC offices.
What are the Policies & Procedures?
You can review our Phase 1 Policies & Procedures here. This will give you insight into what we were already doing prior to COVID19 and what we implemented in early June. Not much will change in our next level.
The major change is we will allow 2 therapists to treat in the office at the same time. We will stagger start times so you should enter an empty waiting room, be greeted by your therapist, and head back to your room without encountering another person. You may remain in the waiting room if you choose. Our waiting room is large enough for plenty of distance should another parent choose to wait too. Our windows will be open for air flow.
Health Policies
- We ask that all adults wear masks while in the clinic.
- Each therapist will monitor their temperature daily. We will take your child’s temperature upon arrival. If anyone in your family/household is sick or has allergies, please cancel your clinic visit. We understand allergies are common this time of year. For the safety of our staff we ask that you cancel and have a virtual visit if your child is sneezing, coughing, rubbing their eyes, has hives, due to allergies.
- We will ask you to sign a document indicating your child has been fever free for 14 days.
- If you cancel due to illness (including, but not limited to, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, green/yellowish mucus), we ask that you do not return for clinic visits (virtual visits would be possible) for two weeks, or unless you’re cleared by a doctor with a doctor’s note.
Does my child have to wear a mask?
According to the CDC, “Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance” (CDC Guidelines). However, speech language pathologists are in a unique position. Our job is based on communication and our clinics are pediatric based. The American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) states, “Although critical to infection control, masks may negatively affect audiology and speech language pathology services”. Based on ASHA’s guidance, we will take the following approach on mask wearing.
- Clinician and all children over 2 wear masks WHEN POSSIBLE.
- Any child over 2 who cannot or will not wear a mask will try Telehealth services first (or resume them)
- If 1 & 2 do not support optimal therapy opportunities, a face shield and/or mask with clear cut out will be worn by the clinician.
We are hopeful that these options will allow for our clients and therapists to continue their therapy sessions in the safest and most effective method possible.
*PLEASE NOTE THESE POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS WE MOVE INTO DIFFERENT PHASES OF REOPENING. WE WILL CONTINUE TO NOTIFY FAMILIES OF NEW CHANGES TO OUR POLICIES