Steps to Wearing A Mask

I have had many parents ask me how to get their child to wear a mask in the community. This is difficult because many of the children I work with are overly sensitive to areas of their face and head.  When I first started working with my families on wearing a mask I started by having the child put the mask on and then be reinforced for leaving the mask on  with a preferred item. The child was reinforced after leaving the mask  on for a couple of minutes. This was not a successful strategy because  the child would instantly rip the mask off. They would not leave the mask  on for more than fourteen seconds.  With that being said, we know that children on the autism spectrum often struggle with things that are unfamiliar to them. How could I expect  them to instantly wear a mask?  Wearing a  is unfamiliar for all of us. Its is hot and uncomfortable. Imagine what it would be like for a child with sensory processing disorders. Below is a social story with the steps to getting comfortable with wearing a mask. As the child gets comfortable with each step to wearing a mask they will in turn be comfortable with wearing one. Give the child time between each step before proceeding to the next step. It may take several trials before the child is comfortable with all the steps to wearing a mask. If the child is resist to any steps "Stop" and try again later. You don't want the child to be completing resist to this  process but rather ease them in gradually. Be Well. Be Safe. See the Possible.

Until next time teacher friends,
Dulce
XOXO