To think my 5 year old shouldn't have to wear a face mask in school?

[Jumpers268]

Head teacher has stated all children at my son's primary school need to wear face masks when arriving & leaving school and going around the school building (toilet, library etc).

I'm not anti masks or anything but I posted the other day about my son being a compulsive chewer of his tops (fixed, touch wood, by getting chewelry) and I just can't see him keeping a mask on, not continuously touching it or not chewing it (which surely defeats the whole point in wearing one ). The exemption list on the gov website states children under 11 so does that mean his school have to let him in without a mask?

Anyhoo... If you think I'm being unreasonable do you have any tips? Pack 500 masks in his book bag?

Thank you 😊😊.

Wouldn’t let mine in school if they’re forcing the mask thing on them. It’s one thing trying to make the adults do it but they’re definitely not involving my child in this

Absolute insanity. Children shouldn't wear a mask. What is the point of them being in school when they can't see anyone's face. I would home school until the madness ends. Shouldn't except this poor children!

I would absolutely NOT send my young child into school wearing a face covering, no way. If they tried to force the issue, I wouldn't be sending her (unless of course she wants to wear one).

My 6yo is asd and has sensory issues so struggles hugely with face masks and visors.

What is the point of them being in school when they can't see anyone's face

Oh I don't know, learning and social interaction? Totally possible with a mask. Mine have been wearing them for months, school has been open (not UK) and they haven't had a single case. Children are happy. They certainly prefer seeing their friends wearing masks than being homeschooled.

ASD is of course a different matter and I would also expect that there would be exemptions for children who really can't wear masks.

[quote Jumpers268]@NailsNeedDoing he'll obviously be wearing 1 on entering school. How many extra ones do you think I should pack? Thank you! He has a few sensory issues that have gotten worse since schools closed so was concerned that he's get a "telling off" for chewing the mask when it's a compulsion that he can't actually help. He'd chew his sensory Lego necklace but obviously with a mask on he can't.[/quote]
I think it will take him less than a minute to work out that he can just pull the necklace up under his mask

@FoxyTheFox

Can one not buy something like bitter aloes to stop compulsive chewing? It works with teething pups so they don’t gnaw wooden furniture. Harmless but just tastes rank

Compulsive chewing is a form of stimming. It serves an important purpose for ND children as it helps relieve anxiety, reduce fear, avoid sensory overload, etc and it shouldn't be discouraged or stopped. Obviously if they're chewing something you'd rather they didn't chew, such as clothes, then you should redirect the urge onto something suitable like a silicone chew.

How long does it go on for?

Will it stop naturaly as they get older or will they have to learn to stop and deal with the anxiety later as adults?

@SinkGirl

I would prefer my child learnt socially valid and functionally equivalent skills, or had a time and space set aside where they could spin/rock/flap that didn't interfere with their learning.

But this is literally the purpose of sensory therapies. If a child’s sensory seeking is so overwhelming that they can’t focus on learning, or if the desire to mouth is so great that it’s all they do when given any object, they won’t be learning any “socially valid” skills.

But where is the data showing skills acquisition with a large cohort of children? Where is the data? The stats? Not anecdotes or testimony's- @ OP Sensory issues are a features of ASD, or can be so I imagine that's why they made the referral.

Here’s one study
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3708964/#S10title

There are also studies underway such as this

trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-019-3205-y

There will be more information in the future. A decade ago nobody was talking about interoception - does that mean no one was affected by it until it was identified and studied?

I’m mainly confused about what you are proposing - you say you would rather your child learnt “socially valid” skills (which seems a rather problematic phrase in itself) but with no suggestion of how a child with significant sensory issues would achieve that without sensory integration therapy. It’s not like there’s another option with proven high levels of efficacy. If a child cannot overcome their sensory needs to engage with learning, what can be done? Regardless of hard data, what’s the alternative? You made a vague reference to sensory breaks above but that is not sufficient for many children with overwhelming sensory needs.

@Skyla2005

Well just send him in with one in his bag and let the teachers deal with it it won't be your problem once his there.

Even at my DS specialist school this has led to the chewy remaining in his bag all day and a wet top.

@SinkGirl

Here’s one study www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3708964/#S10title

There are also studies underway such as this

trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-019-3205-y

There will be more information in the future. A decade ago nobody was talking about interoception - does that mean no one was affected by it until it was identified and studied?

I’m mainly confused about what you are proposing - you say you would rather your child learnt “socially valid” skills (which seems a rather problematic phrase in itself) but with no suggestion of how a child with significant sensory issues would achieve that without sensory integration therapy. It’s not like there’s another option with proven high levels of efficacy. If a child cannot overcome their sensory needs to engage with learning, what can be done? Regardless of hard data, what’s the alternative? You made a vague reference to sensory breaks above but that is not sufficient for many children with overwhelming sensory needs.

Those are both really interesting studies but I note that the first one has the Vineland which we did with DS and which is a REALLY poor measure (some of his strengths were measured at age 2 when he was 7, and the questions are very poor for UK children as they are very American, plus it's very old fashioned - expecting tooth brushing alone from an age at which dentists now say children should be supervised, for example). The second doesn't say what the outcome measures will be. Also, SIT isn't just chewing (I know you know this).

How long does it go on for? Will it stop naturaly as they get older or will they have to learn to stop and deal with the anxiety later as adults?

I can't speak for all people with sensory differences because I don't know all of them. I know with older DS that his chewing needs haven't changed as he's gotten older but he is more able to redirect himself onto chews and sensory blankets without prompting.

All children with the exact same issue that the OP’s child has are doing fine, are they?

The number of children with the exact same issue as the OP's DS is probably small. Neither you nor I can tell if they are doing fine.

I would hope that appropriate compromises can be made for children with similar issues, including trying to figure out what adaptations are possible with the chew necklaces, and also any flexibility the school can offer, but the interest of keeping everyone covid free is a very thorny problem, given that it can be fatal and can lead to long term problems for children.

They cannot enforce this as the guidance is for year 7 and up only and that is only guidance not law.

He is exempt due to age and also his particular needs which they have to consider under the SEND code of practice and the Equality Act.

My ASD child who is 7 would not wear one, and I would be very upset if I found out that the Headteacher of his school had tried to force this on him or exclude him from education due to this, especially as he has been in school without one the whole time up until now without issue.

Speak to the school.

sinkgirl. They are an interesting read. Ds is an older teenager and our LA has paid for a sensory assessment as part of his EHCP.

The assessment report has flagged really significant difficulties, particularly with interoception. He's now being referred to our local ASD OT sensory service. I remain hopeful that they may be able to help.

Thanks for all the comments. I spoke to his teacher today, who wasn't overly helpful just said that he has to wear a mask. I then emailed the SEN person who was really nice and said that she'll get the form completed for ASD assessment when he's back at school. She said to try with the masks but if at any point it causes him any additional anxiety he doesn't need to wear it. Feeling much better about it, although blew a tyre going to buy masks so it'll have to wait until tomorrow 🤷.

Thanks again! ❤️.