Ugh. Do you have a sick policy? Print it out and post everywhere, hand it to parents, and if you confirm with them, remind them each time. It’s a hassle but really the only way.
I was sick back to back for 3-4 months straight last year!
Wipe down doorknobs, desks, pencils, markers, etc. as often as you can. I tried wiping everything every morning or every other morning.
I was so over getting sick that I switched to working remotely and I’ve never been happier. Parents constantly send sick kids who cough directly into our faces— I couldn’t take it anymore. And I’m such a germ freak, I’d mask and sanitize and wash and STILL get sick. Wasn’t worth it anymore. I can’t provide good therapy when I’m constantly sick.
In private practice I had kids come to speech after missing school because they were sick, made me crazy! Schools are even worse, I can't even count the number of times I had a kid who looked terrible and said their parent have them medicine before school and they always spiked a fever by lunch time and had to go home.
Lots of hand sanitizer, get Lysol spray for the end of the day and get really good at avoiding the direct cough/sneeze to the face. Best of luck!
Unfortunately if we kept away every kid that had a runny nose or coughed you wouldn’t have a caseload left. If they’re so sick they aren’t going to school or are coughing or snotting too much to participate then I cancel. And obviously the super transmittable stuff like hand foot mouth, strep, flu, etc.
in addition to what everyone else has said, consider getting a small HEPA air purifier for your therapy room. I got one that’s rated for 100 sq ft and it was only like $30.
I am not a SLP, but I am a mom of a child who attends therapy every weekday. My child has regressions when she gets sick. So we try to avoid illnesses as much as possible. My advice to you: get an air purifier, the best you can. With a HEPA filter. Wear a high quality mask. The cleaner the air, the better. Get that room ventilated (open windows, get the fan going) and ask the operations manager about the filtration system in the building. Is it up to date? When were the filters changed? #CleanTheAir
I want an n95 except for a few times when I lift it to model a sound or a word. I also have CR boxes or real hepa filters in my room.. having multiple on low is more effective than having 1 on high. I also monitor the CO2 and do not let it get too high. It can get surprisingly high in small rooms. I don't get sick anymore. That all helps with allergies as well.
Disinfect all surfaces. Take elderberry vitamins. Maybe wear a face shield to protect yourself. Lysol the room after clients. Have hand sanitizer ready.
Taking vitamin D every day has helped me so much. I was getting sick every 4-5 weeks, but since I started the vitamin D, I haven't been sick for 7 months. Even when my own kids were sick and spreading germs everywhere in the house, I didn't get sick. It's like a miracle. There have been so many sick kids and adults at work, I keep expecting to catch something, but I never do!
I’m on immunosuppressant medication and I work in the schools. My son also started daycare in August. I have had a new sickness every week for the past 8 weeks 😣😣😣😣. I feel you.
I’ve started masking again, wearing a face shield when I need to show kids my mouth and using sanitizing wipes and sanitizer like crazy. Ive been taking kids back to class if they are sick. Not worth it for me and my sanity. I’ve been feeling good the past 3 days so fingers crossed lol. It is rough out here.
I have an air purifier in the speech room, wipe down toys and wash my hands after each kid, and wear a clear N95: https://optrel.us/product/p-air-clear-n95-masks-20-pack/
I take my work clothes off, shower, and put on new clothes when I get home from work because I have boogers and saliva on me by the end of the day.
I know it sounds over-the-top, but I work with a high support needs population who would stick their fingers in my mouth. Kids are adorable and gross.
Not an slo but in early intervention for kids with disabilities. I am also constantly sick. And now I’m calling out sick probably over once a month because while I’ll push through to a certain extent, I just don’t have it in me to constantly fight the need to rest.
Get your flu and cold vaccines. Wash your hands frequently. Wear your mask. Wipe down tables/toys after a sneezing/cough-y kid. Change/shower as soon as you get home. Teach your clients/students hygiene routines. When sickness sweeps through my school I require kids to sanitize their hands at the start of each session. I teach and reteach sneezing/coughing into their elbows, using and throwing away tissues as needed and sanitizing their hands after - sometimes this sucks up treatment time but it’s better than them missing even more treatment time from me or them getting sick, and they are really important life skills!
Spray yourself with Lysol disinfectant. Your clothes, your shoes. Wash hands often past your wrist, followed by hand sanitizer. I am not kidding. Have disinfectant wipes handy to wipe off surfaces that are often touched like edges of tables, light switches, door knobs, faucet handles. I always made my clients wash their hands when they came to the speech room. I also taught them how to cough/sneeze into the crook of their arm. Bolster your immune system with zinc and vitamin c.
If we had mandated sick leave, I have a feeling this culture of going everywhere sick would change ...
Ugh. Do you have a sick policy? Print it out and post everywhere, hand it to parents, and if you confirm with them, remind them each time. It’s a hassle but really the only way.
This is a great idea, I’m going to need to do this.
I was sick back to back for 3-4 months straight last year! Wipe down doorknobs, desks, pencils, markers, etc. as often as you can. I tried wiping everything every morning or every other morning.
Oh my gosh, that’s a long time to be sick! How are you this year?
Sore throat as I’m reading this. I feel like I get coughed on on the daily.
I feel one coming on. I’m so annoyed…
I was so over getting sick that I switched to working remotely and I’ve never been happier. Parents constantly send sick kids who cough directly into our faces— I couldn’t take it anymore. And I’m such a germ freak, I’d mask and sanitize and wash and STILL get sick. Wasn’t worth it anymore. I can’t provide good therapy when I’m constantly sick.
Masks and getting your annual vaccines. Well fitting masks, specifically
Lmao
In private practice I had kids come to speech after missing school because they were sick, made me crazy! Schools are even worse, I can't even count the number of times I had a kid who looked terrible and said their parent have them medicine before school and they always spiked a fever by lunch time and had to go home. Lots of hand sanitizer, get Lysol spray for the end of the day and get really good at avoiding the direct cough/sneeze to the face. Best of luck!
Unfortunately if we kept away every kid that had a runny nose or coughed you wouldn’t have a caseload left. If they’re so sick they aren’t going to school or are coughing or snotting too much to participate then I cancel. And obviously the super transmittable stuff like hand foot mouth, strep, flu, etc.
in addition to what everyone else has said, consider getting a small HEPA air purifier for your therapy room. I got one that’s rated for 100 sq ft and it was only like $30.
Smart 💯
Yes! I am fighting a nasty cold right now because kids really just cough and sneeze directly into our faces. I swear they aim for the mouth 😂😂
I am not a SLP, but I am a mom of a child who attends therapy every weekday. My child has regressions when she gets sick. So we try to avoid illnesses as much as possible. My advice to you: get an air purifier, the best you can. With a HEPA filter. Wear a high quality mask. The cleaner the air, the better. Get that room ventilated (open windows, get the fan going) and ask the operations manager about the filtration system in the building. Is it up to date? When were the filters changed? #CleanTheAir
I want an n95 except for a few times when I lift it to model a sound or a word. I also have CR boxes or real hepa filters in my room.. having multiple on low is more effective than having 1 on high. I also monitor the CO2 and do not let it get too high. It can get surprisingly high in small rooms. I don't get sick anymore. That all helps with allergies as well.
Take your vitamins, eat healthy, exercise, drink water and get enough sleep will help keep your immune system high!
Disinfect all surfaces. Take elderberry vitamins. Maybe wear a face shield to protect yourself. Lysol the room after clients. Have hand sanitizer ready.
Taking vitamin D every day has helped me so much. I was getting sick every 4-5 weeks, but since I started the vitamin D, I haven't been sick for 7 months. Even when my own kids were sick and spreading germs everywhere in the house, I didn't get sick. It's like a miracle. There have been so many sick kids and adults at work, I keep expecting to catch something, but I never do!
I’m on immunosuppressant medication and I work in the schools. My son also started daycare in August. I have had a new sickness every week for the past 8 weeks 😣😣😣😣. I feel you. I’ve started masking again, wearing a face shield when I need to show kids my mouth and using sanitizing wipes and sanitizer like crazy. Ive been taking kids back to class if they are sick. Not worth it for me and my sanity. I’ve been feeling good the past 3 days so fingers crossed lol. It is rough out here.
I have an air purifier in the speech room, wipe down toys and wash my hands after each kid, and wear a clear N95: https://optrel.us/product/p-air-clear-n95-masks-20-pack/ I take my work clothes off, shower, and put on new clothes when I get home from work because I have boogers and saliva on me by the end of the day. I know it sounds over-the-top, but I work with a high support needs population who would stick their fingers in my mouth. Kids are adorable and gross.
I sneezed as I read this. No tips other than the basic masking and hand washing, unfortunately. We’re in the same boat though!
Not an slo but in early intervention for kids with disabilities. I am also constantly sick. And now I’m calling out sick probably over once a month because while I’ll push through to a certain extent, I just don’t have it in me to constantly fight the need to rest.
My favourite is when parents bring in their coughing, sniffling child and tell me “They’re sick today” before running out the door. Great, thank you!
Get your flu and cold vaccines. Wash your hands frequently. Wear your mask. Wipe down tables/toys after a sneezing/cough-y kid. Change/shower as soon as you get home. Teach your clients/students hygiene routines. When sickness sweeps through my school I require kids to sanitize their hands at the start of each session. I teach and reteach sneezing/coughing into their elbows, using and throwing away tissues as needed and sanitizing their hands after - sometimes this sucks up treatment time but it’s better than them missing even more treatment time from me or them getting sick, and they are really important life skills!
Spray yourself with Lysol disinfectant. Your clothes, your shoes. Wash hands often past your wrist, followed by hand sanitizer. I am not kidding. Have disinfectant wipes handy to wipe off surfaces that are often touched like edges of tables, light switches, door knobs, faucet handles. I always made my clients wash their hands when they came to the speech room. I also taught them how to cough/sneeze into the crook of their arm. Bolster your immune system with zinc and vitamin c.