Please remember that if you are planning to take time off from therapy, we need you to complete a Therapy Schedule Update form. Just ask us at arrival or dismissal and we'll bring one out to your car. We request 2 weeks' notice for planned absences whenever possible.
Please keep in mind that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, and our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan does apply to anyone taking a vacation from therapy. That may include following the Return to Therapy requirements listed below, if you are traveling out of state via airplane, or to an area with higher incidence rates of COVID-19. Please speak to your BCBA about scheduled vacation plans and destinations, so that we can advise you properly.
Families who take time off to vacation within Michigan, or just to have a few extra days at home should not expect to complete additional Return to Therapy requirements.
Return to Therapy Requirements
A child who was diagnosed with COVID-19, or answered positive to the daily screening questions, may only return to therapy upon confirmation of the cessation of symptoms and contagiousness, proof of which may be acquired via the test-based strategy or the non-test-based strategy.
The test-based strategy is preferred but relies upon the availability of testing supplies and laboratory capacity. Under this strategy, children may discontinue isolation and return to therapy upon achieving the following conditions:
• Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications;
• Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
• Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized molecular assay for COVID-19 (from two consecutive nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected at least 24 hours apart if feasible or one negative test and a return to work authorization from a medical doctor).
Under the non-test-based strategy, children may discontinue isolation and return to therapy upon achieving the following conditions:
• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications;
• Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Children who came into close contact with, or live with, an individual with a confirmed diagnosis or symptoms may return to therapy after either 14 days have passed since the last close contact with the diagnosed/symptomatic individual, or the diagnosed/symptomatic individual receives a negative COVID-19 test.
Children are typically required to submit a release to return to therapy from a healthcare provider; given the current stressors on the healthcare system, the Center may accept written statements from parents confirming all the factors supporting their release.
