Teaching Your Child to Wear a Mask

Tips from Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development

Wearing a face mask is a new reality for all of us this year. Kids have to adapt to wearing masks for long stretches at school, daycare, church, and other community gatherings. Dealing with all these changes can be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible for kids to adjust.

“People tend to underestimate kids, especially kids with disabilities, but kids are pretty resilient,” said Dr. Candice Lake, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, LLP – Director of Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development. “Even children severely impacted by autism are adapting to the new rules we have in place at the center and are learning to wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash their hands thoroughly. At Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development, we provide individualized therapy to address all areas affected by a child’s autism spectrum disorder, and that includes teaching them how to participate in their community safely.”

Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development (ACCD) offers some insight for parents, teachers, and other caregivers on teaching children to wear a mask – so everyone has the opportunity to learn this important skill.

Wedgwood’s Autism Center for Child Development provides comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) for young children with autism spectrum disorders. Our therapy is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and is individualized for each child. Learn more at www.wedgwood.org/austismcenter or by calling (616) 965-3492.