ChesterCountyMedicineSummer2020 - 14

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Let's Talk About
Wearing Masks!
BY BRIANNA MATEY, PHD, VICE PRESIDENT FOR CLINICAL SERVICES,
CHILD GUIDANCE RESOURCE CENTERS

Building Motivation:
·	Building motivation around mask wearing allows children to
feel in control, practice independence, and be more invested
in the mask wearing experience. Try to find preferred colors/
characters/patterns that the child likes. Etsy is a great resource
for all different kinds of masks. If a child really loves trucks
or dinosaurs or princesses, find a mask that features these
favorites. When possible, include children in choosing their
mask. This helps build independence and motivation and can
help their mask become something they regard fondly and look
forward to wearing, and less like something they are forced to
do.

W

hen Governor Wolf expanded the mask wearing order
in Pennsylvania to make mask wearing mandatory
for everyone two and older whenever we leave home,
parents across the Commonwealth were suddenly faced with a
new COVID-related challenge. Wearing a mask can challenging
for adults. It's not part of our normal routine, masks can be feel
uncomfortable, and sometimes we just don't want to wear one-
but we do, because we have the cognitive ability to understand the
benefits of doing so. For children, on the other hand, this can seem
almost insurmountable. While we understand the reasons and the
rule, many children, especially younger ones, may not be able to
comprehend the reasons why they need to wear masks. This may
also be the case with adults with cognitive limitations.
Child Guidance Resource Centers has put together some tools
parents and caregivers can use to encourage children to wear masks
and help integrate mask wearing into their daily routine. The tools
below apply to all children, but we will also share some specific
resources geared toward children and adults who have autism or
developmental delays.

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·	Just like adults, children will have preferences about the type
of mask that feels most comfortable. Some people like masks
that tie behind the head, others prefer ones that go behind
the ear, others prefer bandana-style face covers, and some like
the turtleneck tube style. If possible, let children try a couple
of different styles. You will then be able to see which ones are
most comfortable and which ones stay on better.
·	If you have the ability to have multiple masks for a child,
allow them to make the choice of which one to wear when it's
time to go out. One day, they might be in a dinosaur mood
and another day more of a princess mood. They may even have
a preference depending on what kind of activity you are doing!
Letting children decide builds autonomy, independence, and a
sense of control-and builds their motivation to wear it.

Use Visuals:
·	Social stories are great tools to help build an understanding
of mask wearing. A social story is an evidence-based behavior
explanation model used to help individuals with autism adopt
and comply with behavioral expectations. They follow a
specific format, are short and illustrated and always end with
a recap of the desired behavior. However, social stories are not
only effective for people on the autism spectrum. They can
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