My 7yo has a speech disorder as well as dyslexia and developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD) because of this her primary school always have 1 member of staff working with Year 3 unmasked even in communal areas, because otherwise DD gets very frustrated and tearful – masks make it hard for her to hear what’s being said, she also relies a lot on facial expression and watching the way sounds are made with the mouth so she can then replicate that in her own speech but also understand whats being said. I hope that makes sense.
During the lockdowns her speech suffered badly to the point she couldn’t be understood by even me or ExH at times. We’ve managed to get 70-75% of her speech back but when she’s tired or upset or overexcited her speech still gets jumbled, so for example she knows the word cheese is made with sounds by lips out to do “Ch” then a smile for “ee” then a lower neutral mouth for “se” so she knows I’m saying cheese. IYSWIM (if you make those movements with your mouth you’ll get it). S
I have not stopped wearing a mask in the supermarket or medical settings (DD also has a joint condition and asthma and I have a couple of conditions too) but until recently I haven’t taken DD into the shops with me.
I now need to start doing so again, the last two times we’ve been in with me in my mask she’s had a massive meltdown. She’s not the sort to throw herself around but she will get louder and louder say “You don’t listen to me” and then most after that isn’t understandable. If she cannot both see and hear the sounds she doesn’t understand and has a meltdown so we leave the shop (I know she’s not being naughty but I get stressed and she gets more upset not understanding me and it’s not fair to keep shopping)
I took her in to a different smaller shop today and forgot to put my mask on, DD was much calmer and we got everything we needed (plus a few extra treats for DD…) and I felt less stressed.
I want to take her shopping again it’s good for her speech and memory issues (dyslexia and DCD cause these) I’ve told this by her SALT and school but know if I want to avoid the meltdown I need to go maskless. shopping is also good for her joint condition; lifting, reaching, carrying and moving in different positions all strengthens her joints
I am double vaccinated and will be having my booster as soon as I’m offered it. So would you go maskless? I feel bad as it’s not technically my exemption. A clear mask would only help with her seeing my mouth it would not help with her hearing the sounds she needs both to make the connection.