fbpx

Business as Unusual: Acorn and Oak Speech Therapy

Lifestyle continues to reach out to businesspeople all over South Florida to ask three questions: How did COVID-19 and the shutdown impact your business; how did you position the business for success amid reopening; how will experiencing this unprecedented pandemic change the way you conduct business moving forward? Today, we check in with Melody Erez, owner/speech pathologist at Acorn and Oak Speech Therapy. Editor’s note: This interview was conducted prior to Phase 1 reopening for Broward County.

Melody Erez Acorn and Oak Speech TherapyBackstory: The clinic provides individual treatment to children and adults with communication difficulties due to neurological, auditory, speech and language disorders.

The impact: As a health-care provider, we have always had rigorous sanitization, hygiene and sick policies for therapists and patients. To address COVID-19, we had to enact schedule and policy changes to reduce contact between families and patients, and to accommodate more frequent cleanings. As the city and county ordinances evolved, it required us to pause seeing patients and providing services at the physical office.

In the interim: We moved to telehealth, providing virtual teletherapy speech services online. Teletherapy is delivered in one of two models: where the clinician works directly with the child via a phone, iPad, or computer, and a parent is nearby; or when the clinician offers observations, coaching and modeling to parents of very young children.

The good news is most private health insurers have graciously agreed to continue covering speech services in the telehealth model during this period, even when their member plans had previously only covered office visits. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has affected so many families, including their schedules, incomes and access to health care. For patients who have had to pause therapy because of financial or logistical difficulties, we have been providing consultations and homework to sustain some therapeutic progress until they can resume sessions.

The future: The introduction of our telehealth services has been invaluable to patients who have needed to continue therapy while social distancing. We also know that right now might be a difficult time for families due to employment difficulties. We are here to help our families even when speech therapy is not an option. What remains constant is our mutual interest in ensuring children and families succeed.

Giving back: During this time we have been [doing the following]:

  • Providing suggestions and resources to strengthen pediatric language skills with items, routines and activities already present at home both publicly in mom groups and via free phone, text or email consultations.
  • Sharing free materials and resources on our Facebook page. Children during this time may have difficulty with routine change or new social expectations [such as wearing masks], which can be supported by parents with free resources.
  • Working with colleagues who own and operate other speech-therapy clinics to support the transition of our businesses through teletherapy and best practices, and in when and how we resume in-person services at our office locations.

You May Also Like
W Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach to Host Post Tortuga Party

The Tortuga Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale Beach will bring thousands of concertgoers to the area for a weekend of live musical entertainment. The popular event is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with headliners Eric Church (Friday), Shania Twain (Saturday) and Kenny Chesney (Sunday), each performing for more than 25,000 fans. However, the party

Read More
Paws Enchanted Masquerade Ball to Benefit the Humane Society of Broward County

The annual PAWS Gala benefiting the Humane Society of Broward County occurs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale. This year’s theme is the “Enchanted Masquerade Ball,” presented by Spirit Airlines. Chairwomen Alyse Lemstrom and Sheryl Maher and their committee have organized the event with proceeds

Read More
Dan Marino Foundation Celebrates Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month

The Dan Marino Foundation in Fort Lauderdale will celebrate the autism community with various initiatives and events during Autism Acceptance & Awareness Month throughout April. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the lives of children, teens, and adults with autism. When Dan and Claire Marino created the nonprofit in 1992, the prevalence of autism

Read More
Visit Lauderdale Celebrates Broward’s Cultural Diversity

Did you know Broward County is home to a rich, vibrant tapestry of cultures, with people from more than 170 countries speaking 147 languages living here? This dynamic array of diversity is not only prevalent in every corridor of the county — it’s proudly celebrated in the attractions, festivals, and food the destination offers. And

Read More
Other Posts
Jack & Jill Center to Host Team Pouncey Bowl for Change Fundraiser

Jack & Jill Center’s Young Professionals Network will host its annual charity bowling tournament from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at Manor Lanes in Fort Lauderdale. The Team Pouncey Bowl for Change community event will feature a day of bowling, a live DJ, arcade games, a raffle, a full bar and

Read More
Gutenburg Burger Opens at Time Out Market Miami

Gutenburg Burger, a German-American burger concept, recently debuted at Time Out Market Miami, home to chef-inspired events, arts and culture, and live entertainment. Chef Jorge Kauam launched the eatery to honor Germany’s history of high-quality beef and highlight the hamburger’s proclaimed roots in his new menu.  “Our buns are a mix of a brioche and potato

Read More
Gulfstream Park Village’s Free Cone Day Returns Next Month

Gulfstream Park Village’s popular Free Cone Day will return on Wednesday, May 17 at Häagen-Dazs. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy one free mini cone or cup with the ice cream flavor of their choice. Additionally, Gulfstream Park Village Center will transform into a family-friendly village carnival with free entertainment

Read More
NAMI Broward to Hold Annual Artful Minds Event in Dania Beach

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Broward County will host the Second Annual “Artful Minds” event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at MAD Arts in Dania Beach, 481 South Federal Highway. The art exhibit showcases the relationship between art and mental health through artwork in various mediums created by artists

Read More