face masks sensory sensitive child

Struggling to find face masks that your highly sensitive child will actually wear?

School details may still be getting figured out as children get ready to head back to school, but one thing is certain, face masks will be required for every student inside the school building. Wearing a mask for long periods of time can be difficult for any child, but it can be especially hard for a highly sensitive child (HSC) that struggles with sensory challenges.

I asked 3,000 plus parents of highly sensitive children in our Facebook group to share what face masks have worked well for their HSCs. I gathered the most popular answers and listed them below in alphabetical order, along with some tips for helping kids adjust to wearing them for long periods of time.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or health professional and know others may have different opinions than my own. Those with medical conditions should consult their doctor before wearing a mask. These recommendations come from parents of HSCs and have not been checked for effectiveness against the spread of Covid-19.

Use at your own risk.

At the time of writing this article, neck fleeces/gaiter masks have also been shown to be far less effective than previously thought and so they have not been included in this list. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more info

Tips for helping your child wear a face mask.

1. Involve your child in the process

Luckily masks come in all different materials and styles. Try out masks of different materials and styles with your child and listen to their preference. Do they prefer non-woven fabric? Cotton? face mask highly sensitive child Do they like masks with ear loops or ones that tie behind the head?

I highly recommend an extender if you choose one with ear loops to eliminate any tightness and/or ear pain caused by extended wear.

2. Choose customized masks that cater to their interests

A mask with a favorite book, TV or movie character will likely be more enticing to a young child than a plain one. Older children may be interested in a sports team or hobby masks. Allowing them to express their individuality with their mask can help with their willingness to wear one.

Extenders can also be customized with different colors, patterns, and characters.

3. Practice wearing masks at home

Start small with a child by having them just hold a mask up to their face and build from there. Once they have mastered this step, try having them loop it over one ear, then another. Then move onto a few seconds of wearing a mask and slowly increase the time.

Offer a favorite activity while they are wearing their mask or have them practice while watching a favorite TV show.

4. Give them choices

Ask questions like do you want to wear the green or the blue mask? Do you want to wear your mask when we first get out of the car or right before we enter the store? This helps them feel more in control of the situation.

5. Model mask-wearing yourself

Make sure you are properly wearing a mask yourself. Having a parent model mask-wearing can make the process more familiar and less scary for a child when it’s their time to wear one.

6. Validate their feelings & celebrate their progress

Make sure to validate their feelings throughout the process, praise their efforts, and celebrate their progress.

highly sensitive child face mask

Face masks for a Highly Sensitive Child that come recommended by parents of HSCs

Athleta

Boca Baby Company

coRevival – Good for those who wear glasses and have trouble with fogging

The face masks from Los Angeles Apparel are the ones my highly sensitive kids have been wearing since the beginning and love. The straps don’t have to lay on your ears so there is no pain from the straps and they can hang around your neck when not in use.