Getting your child to wear a mask
The scheduled start of the new school year is approaching quicker than we realize. Some of us are still anxiously awaiting the announcement from our school districts about what this is actually going to look like during these COVID times. What can we do to prepare our children with this uncertainty lingering into August?
As we learn more about COVID-19, it has been established that wearing masks can significantly reduce the spread of this easily proliferating virus. If your school district decides on in-person instruction, it’s likely that masks will be required or “strongly encouraged”.
“Easier said than done” is what many of us will say, as parents of children with a variety of challenges. This is just “one more thing” to add to our children’s lists of things they need to learn how to do. Many of you will assume that our children will never leave their masks on and I, too, was guilty of this assumption.
But, our children may surprise us.
About a month ago, I had to take our son to two in-person appointments. We live in New York, so most places require masks around here. While I fully agree with masking in public, I was confident that our son was not going to keep a mask on for more than a few minutes. That was definitely going to be a problem.
So, I decided to start practicing with him. His amazing teacher sent us a social story about wearing a mask that we started watching every day. A few days into it, we had our son wear a mask while watching the video. Then, we starting having incremental “mask practice sessions” (first 10 minutes, then 15, etc) which did not go as well as I had hoped. I honestly think our son, even with his severe cognitive impairment and autism, did not see the point of wearing the mask at home.
Now, fast forward a few days. I took him to a neurology appointment, and he kept the mask on for an hour and a half!! He totally impressed me! Two days later, he kept the mask on again for an hour during a lab appointment. Amazing! I know these are small wins and one hour at a time does not equal an entire school day. But my
My advice to you is, start practicing now. Practice both at home and in public, where you can still socially distance if he/she pulls off the mask. Give yourself time to figure out if your child tolerates a certain style, material, or ear strap better than others. Work out the kinks now and give your child time to adjust. Remember when your child was given foot orthotics for the first time? You didn’t just start expecting him/her to wear them for eight hours on the first day, right? Gradually work your way up.
Sometimes our kids are smarter than we give them credit for. Hopefully, your child will surprise you!