At Baloo's Buddies we think that children and adults on the autism spectrum have superpowers; their abilities are awe inspiring, the challenge is for us to identify that unique ability and enable them to shine and reach their true potential, using talents and skills which may be very different to yours or mine.

Unfortunately, wearing a mask can be a real challenge for many people with autism.  Take 24-year-old Othmann for example.  He really hates anything on his face and head due to the sensory overload he experiences through it.  

It took him years to be okay with wearing a hat in the summer and these days he has his hair cut really short because even slightly long hair irritates him too much.

You cannot imagine what it means to Othmann to be asked to wear a mask for protection against COVID-19.  

I suspect it's like being asked to have your worst nightmare, such as a snake or spider, crawl all over your face - but it is probably a whole lot worse.  

Fortunately the desire to be allowed outside is a huge motivator for Othmann and he is gradually learning that masks have to be warn; eventually it may be part of his superpower kit, but for now we'll just be satisfied with him not taking it off every 3 minutes! says his mum, Christine Gordon, Founder of RIA Institute

So please don't complain about feeling hot or itchy with your mask on; remember there are some people for whom the whole experience is like a night terror.  

And, to everyone busy making masks, could they please consult with the differently-abled community to find out what their particular needs are and possibly design a mask that doesn't feel like a mask with no straps, ties, bows and fiddly things to irritate the skin?  

Every ability is different and one  size definitely does not fit all.  Surely in an age when we can fling satelites into space, some one can come up with a supersensitive material that prevents contagion getting in but enables everyone to get out!

Be well, #StaySafe, #Stayathome and when you're outside PLEASE wear your mask!

Othmann hopes you like his video about how to put on a mask.  You can follow him on Instagram at @othmannel