Speech Therapist’s Input on Reopening Schools During the Pandemic in the U.S (Picture)

Q: What are some of the health/safety guidelines that schools have proposed for reopening during the pandemic? A: I’m a school speech therapist. Kids are required to keep masks on all day unless they have a medical or sensory condition that makes them unable to tolerate having anything on their face. Kids are supposed to sanitize their hands before entering and after leaving any room. Teachers are supposed to maintain at least 3 feet of distance whenever possible from their students. Kids are supposed to stay in their cohorts and not interact with kids from other classes in hallways or at lunch or recess. It’s going to be a mess. Kids who can’t wear masks or face shields still get to come to school and have their special education needs met, meaning their aides and therapists will have to stay in close contact with them and will very easily get sick if those kids are sick. Kids aren’t the best at keeping their hands germ-free, keeping their distance from other kids or teachers, or keeping their masks on all day properly. Also, kids who get speech therapy need to have their mouths visible if they are working on speech sounds so the therapist can see what they are doing and correct them. Similarly, they need to be able to see the speech therapist’s mouth so they can see what they need to do differently with their own mouths when making speech sounds. Doubtful that the school will provide proper PPE for kids who get speech - they’ll just think they should come to therapy without a mask on rather than providing them with masks with clear windows. It’s going to be a disaster :)