COVID-19 Precautions
The following is intended to inform our families about how we are addressing COVID-19 in our locations to keep children and families safe while receiving evaluation and treatment services. The health and well being of our children, families, community and staff are of the highest importance.
Talking Tadpoles continues to monitor the situation daily, as information regarding COVID 19 changes regularly. At this time, we have determined that it in the best interest of the families we serve to continue to provide services with enhanced precautions. The following are a combination of the universal precautions that we implemented prior to COVID-19 and the enhanced precautions that we have added based on various agency guidelines and recommendations.
Less People in Shared Spaces
We are limiting the number of people in the clinic at any given time.
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Our waiting room is closed at this time.
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We ask that you text the office upon arrival so that your therapist can meet you at the front door or at your car.
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One parent or caregiver is permitted in the evaluation and/or treatment session if it is essential to the success of the session. Otherwise, parents are asked to return to their car to limit the number of people in the office.
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No siblings are permitted in the session.
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Parents will be provided with a secure link and may use our Guest WiFi to observe the session and communicate with the therapist in real-time.
Screenings
Everyone (staff and family) will be screened through a brief series of questions and temperatures taken (must be below 100.4) before entering the treatment space.
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Must not exhibit any signs of any contagious illness.
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Must be symptom free of any illness for 48 hours without medication.
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Must not have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
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Must not be under a self-quarantine secondary to suspected exposure.
Staff will be held to the same standards. We will work with you to reschedule any missed sessions during this time in accordance with our attendance policy.
Masks & Physical Distancing
By limiting the number of people in the clinic
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Teletherapy visits will continue to be offered as long as insurance plans permits. Families may switch between in-office and teletherapy visits by speaking with the office.
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Any off-site visits at behavioral centers or with private schools, with whom we have partnered, will be suspended to keep with our disinfecting protocols.
All therapists and staff will wear a mask and/or face shield when with a client.
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If your child tolerates wearing a mask and it does not make them touch their face more than normal, please have them wear one.
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If your child cannot or will not tolerate a mask, they do not need to wear one.
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Any adult who will be the single caregiver participating in the initial evaluation and/or treatment session, as deemed necessary by the therapist, will be encouraged to wear a mask and/or face covering or offered one upon arrival.
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If the caregiver is not wearing a mask, alternative methods of consultation will be offered (i.e., secure videoconferencing technology, phone, written communication).
Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Cleaning procedures that were in effect prior to COVID, will remain in effect, along with enhanced precautions.
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All clients' and therapists' will wash hands or sanitize hands prior to the start of session.
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Sessions will end five minutes early to permit time for disinfecting and sanitizing.
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Our staff are disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and toys during and in between treatment sessions. This includes, tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, faucets and sinks.
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Our clinic is already professionally cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.
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Difficult to disinfect items, such as ball pits, will be removed at this time.
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Feeding sessions will be conducted with the use of gloves.
In the Case of School Closures
We have created a comprehensive plan which includes remaining open during school closures. We are committed to providing the best care for your child and your family. Therapeutic treatment is most effective when provided consistently. We will continue to mitigate risk exposure and will make decision about the safety of our therapists and clients based on available information. During this time, alternative settings (i.e., teletherapy) will be offered as long as insurance plans permit. We will update you immediately and as often as necessary regarding changes to our procedures and operations.
