Helpful Tips for getting your child to wear a face mask in public

What to do?

• Demonstrate using the face mask on a preferred object or person, such as a stuffed animal, a doll, or a family member.

• Allow the person with ASD to choose among different types of fabric face masks to find one that is most comfortable.

• Start by practicing wearing the face mask for short durations of time, allowing for breaks when needed.

• Plan initial outings in low-demand environments that are quiet and calm, so that the individual can experience success wearing the face mask.

• Use a printed photo or digital photo of the individual wearing a face mask as a visual cue to wear the mask before outings. The photo can be stored close to the door or on a tablet that is easily accessible.

• Chew gum or suck on a hard candy while wearing a mask, for distraction and to improve the smell of recycled air beneath the mask.

• Some medical settings may have transparent face masks. These masks make the mouth visible. Susan Muller-Hershon, American Sign Language/English interpreter at Massachusetts General Hospital, notes that transparent masks can be helpful for better communication.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/helping-people-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-manage-masks-and-covid-19-tests-2020061020089?utm_content=buffere22aa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR21jT7Nw5z4LIiPDCnqczyNg3Gn00wO4iZVM8H5rrKQ0h3yHiuOO1VmLiQ