Easterseals is offering sensory-friendly face masks for giveaway

April is Autism Awareness Month & April 2 is Autism Awareness Day.

Easterseals Southern California has teamed with socially conscious lifestyle brand Rafi Nova, pioneer of the clear Smile Face Mask, to develop a Sensory-Friendly Mask to benefit children and adults with autism and other disabilities or anyone who finds wearing a conventional mask uncomfortable.

Did you know?

• About one-in-54 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• About one-in-six children aged 3–17 years (17%) were diagnosed with a developmental disability as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2017. These included autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness and cerebral palsy, among others. The Autism Society

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For individuals with autism and other sensory processing challenges or disabilities, mask wearing can be difficult. A face covering introduces multiple new stimuli, including the fabric’s sensation, the pressure of tight elastic bands and the heat and moisture from breath inside the mask.

The premier New England mask maker partnered with ESSC to design a mask with reduced stimuli to address the concerns of people with sensory sensitivities, consulting more than a dozen of Easterseals’ therapists and other licensed and certified staff and working with people who receive services from ESSC, as well as their families and other community members. Over a three-month period, multiple prototypes were tested and revised to achieve a maximally beneficial mask—soft, structured, safe, secure—that provides both comfort and function.

Commented Dr. Paula Pompa-Craven, Psy.D., ESSC’s Chief Clinical Officer, “There’s little in the marketplace to accommodate people with sensory sensitivities. This soft mask is an outstanding option not only for the autism community, but for all children and adults who I believe will find it uniquely comfortable.”

The Sensory-Friendly Mask retails for $14 (child sizes) and $16 (adults). Available in light blue, light pink, hunter green, black and “Over the Moon” (kids sizes only) at: https://rafinova.com/products/sensory-friendly-mask?_pos=1&_sid=402344580&_ss=r

A portion of each purchase will be donated to Easterseals Southern California when you use code: ESSC

Features of the Mask Include:

• Softness:  100% Mulberry silk lining reduces friction and adjustable jersey knit straps clasp behind the head instead of pinching the ears.
• Structured:  Minimal design and limited seaming. 
• Secure:  Adjustable nose bridge ensures the perfect fit and decreases glasses fogging. 
• Safe:  Special construction lifts the mask off the mouth and highly breathable cotton is used on the exterior.
• Durability: The mask has an antibacterial layer and is reusable and machine washable
•  Ease:  A clasp on the back ensures ease of putting on and removal. When not on the face, the mask may safely remain on the person and not be lost thanks to an extra strap feature that fastens it behind the neck. 
• Social Story:  Comes with a visual storytelling designed by therapists that helps children understand mask-wearing necessity.  

“Masks must be comfortable and functional for everyone. It’s that simple,” said Rafi Nova CEO Marissa Goldstein. Earlier this year, the company pioneered transparent masks with their Smile Mask launch to restore visual cues to masked communication. In partnership with ESSC, the Sensory-Friendly Mask represents the next generation of the company’s inclusive face coverings designed to protect and reconnect communities.

3 lucky winners will each receive one Sensory-Friendly Mask of their choosing (adult or child).
This giveaway is available for U.S. & Canadian participants only.

To enter the giveaway enter above or click here to enter.

SOURCE: EasterSeals Southern California via Greenleaf+Associates