I’m deep into the hands-on research for productive PPE to make speech therapy safe in the fall! In my first video, I tested out a few options for defogging the clear masks. Check out that video here.
*** When making decisions about what protective equipment to wear, please consult the CDC, your employer, and your state SLP/AUD organization. This video is just intended to inform you of options, not to determine if items provide enough coverage. The CDC continues to change the requirements for masks and shields, so refer to them for up to date info.
In my second round of experiments, I test out kid-friendly Face Shields, some more fog options (one good, one bad), and talk about the shape of masks!
I promised links in my video and they are here:
Kid-Friendly Face Shields: ShieldPals.com. One thing I forgot to mention in the video is that the headbands here are flexible, you can pull to stretch them and make them fit your head. See the FAQ on their website for more info.
My Favorite clear mask on Etsy: FabFindsSew
DIY Mask instructions: SSOL Smile Mask (Or search #SSOLSMILEMASKS on YouTube)
Please let me know if you try out the Shield Pals or the Clear Masks! I’d love to investigate some more PPE options for speech-language pathologists this fall. Leave a comment if you have any ideas.
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Hi Jenna, I appreciate your practical video demonstrations of tested and preferred masks and shields! I just placed an order with FabFindsSew and look forward to trying.
Grateful fellow Speechie
Which face shield type did you purchase the PVCe or the HDPE?
So I was wondering this same thing and found this answer on their website:
“HDPE Halo units are made from antimicrobial plastic and are better suited for environments where the highest level of sanitation is required. Both HDPE and ePVC units are able to be disinfected and reused, but ePVC material does not have the same inherent antimicrobial properties as the HDPE units. HDPE are well suited for high risk areas and ePVC are well suited for lower risk and general use environments.”
FYI, though, having bought the HDPE one, it’s very rigid and I couldn’t get it to fit my head comfortably. They sent me the ePVC one to try, and it was much more tolerable because it’s a lot more flexible.
Great video! As an intervention teacher I’ve been looking at my options for the fall so I was happy to come across your site. When I visit the face shield site, they give you the option between ePVC + shield or HDPE + shield. Do you have any idea what those options mean and which one is a better choice? There’s just a small ($2) price difference between the two.
HDPE Halo units are made from antimicrobial plastic and are better suited for environments where the highest level of sanitation is required. Both HDPE and ePVC units are able to be disinfected and reused, but ePVC material does not have the same inherent antimicrobial properties as the HDPE units. HDPE are well suited for high risk areas and ePVC are well suited for lower risk and general use environments.
Hi Jenna,
Thanks for doing these trials of shields and masks. These animals and crowns are such a cute idea. Can you see if you can wear glasses comfortably under the Shield Pals? I usually wear glasses 🤓 so I’ve wondered if face shields would work over glasses.
Thanks so much,
Maryann
I just tried making the smile mask.
The pattern is correct according to the 1” square. I followed your tube video instructions but the mask is too small.
😔
Thanks so much for your research! Do you know how the face shield works with glasses? Have you tried the mask from HelloHarperByCynthia? She has lots of cute fabrics and her sister is an SLP. https://www.etsy.com/shop/HelloHarperByCynthia?campaign_label=proteus_transaction_buyer_notification_q4_treatment_v2&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=proteus_transaction_buyer_notification_q4_treatment_v2_010170_669962139734_0_0&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&email_sent=1593808660&euid=-N79efC-NA788ogje41cS365BsJf&eaid=874969431714&x_eaid=77cc209e0b
Good to know. Anybody tried these?
This is sooooo cool. I work with ESE kids and this might totally work for us!
I’ve ordered some of the Shield Pals options to try out for speech and for some teacher friends to try out. Fingers crossed!!! We are thinking of ways Cricut Crafty friends could jazz up the blank ones to make them engaging, but not distracting and not covering the facial cues. I’m hopeful they will work with different head shapes and sizes and hair types! Thanks for putting these resources together. Super helpful!!
Thank you for the video. However, the shields are torture. Literally painful after 2 minutes. I couldn’t teach for 30 minutes, let alone 7 hours in one of these. I would NOT recommend these. Cute, but not practical.
Did you try bending them to open them up larger? The creators have a video that shows it! They bend without breaking and it sounds like you need to open yours up larger!
OMG, I am a school speech therapist and I just got a see-thru mask from FabFindsSew the other day. Watched your video today and realized that I got the best one – yay! I can’t imagine trying to use a mask that presses against your lips! Can’t remember how I stumbled on that etsy store, but so glad I did! The mask is really well made with the pleats, boxy structure and wire nose piece. 🙂
I am looking to buy my sister in law a few masks/faceshields. She is an interpreter for a teen going into high school this September. Wondering if there are some clear masks to help her student see her face and expressions out there?
Thanks Sue
I loved your video and commented on Instagram. It was so very helpful as I plan to return to therapy. A question I have is …. Will you have your student wear on, so you can see production of sounds? I wonder if I should not only order shields for me, but my clients too and have mom and say sign for permission to use them for therapy. Can you in advance for your feedback:)
I think it depends on what your school and state requirements. I know some are allowing the kids to sit behind a plexiglass shield and wearing a shield instead.
Jenna, my principal is willing to purchase clear masks for my students that have articulation goals. Do you have any recommendations for student masks?
I don’t have any recommendations for student sized masks. Haven’t tried any!
I just purchased a clear panel mask from Rafi Nova. I like it, it fits , but smooshes my long nose a bit. The kids might get a kick out of the fact that I look like Miss Piggy😂