Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/educators.html Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society: http://www.faslink.org   Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the Classroom, TeAchnology: http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/special_ed/disabilities/fas/ National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: http://www.nofas.org/parents/ Teaching Students with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect: A Resource Guide for Teachers, https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/fas/ What Educators Need to Know about FASD: https://www.gov.mb.ca/healthychild/fasd/fasdeducators_en.pdf

In this short video, a mother describes the challenges her 10 year old daughter living with FAS faces on a daily basis.                                                                         Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTGWdcWjuZ8

Our course textbook, Inclusion of Exceptional Learners in Canadian Schools: A Practical Handbook for Teachers, offers some helpful tips for supporting students with FASD in the learning environment (p. 153). Use concrete, hands-on learning methods Establish routines and follow them Avoid surprises and loud noises Post a daily schedule and use an agenda Give short and simple instructions Give one task at a time Repeat tasks Reduce the auditory and visual distractions in the classroom For younger students, use a communication book that travels between school and home Use positive reinforcement techniques Hutchinson, N. (2014). Inclusion of Exceptional Learners in Canadian Schools: A Practical Handbook for Teachers . Canada: Pearson.

Getting to know the whole child It is important to note that no two cases of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome will be the same due to the complex nature of how/when it is acquired. Each child will have different strengths, interests, and learning challenges. The Ministry of Education (British Columbia) offers the following tips for teachers  when  preparing for a student with FAS in your classroom: Prepare for an interview/conference with the parent(s) and child Learn to ask for help when you need it Learn how to effectively communicate with the student Find out the student’s strengths, interests, and areas of need Become aware of what adjustments will be necessary in your planning, classroom environment, instruction, and assessment Ministry of Education, British Columbia. (1998) Teaching the student with FAS or FAE. Retrieved from http://www.faslink.org/Bcgov/teachstu.htm .

The FASD Group of Ottawa (meets monthly) More info can be found at: http://www.fasdottawa.ca/en/fasd/FASD_Group_of_Ottawa_p1363.html Wabano FASD Support Group : http://wabano.com

Along with visible signs of FAS, children born with this condition may experience the following challenges: Hyperactivity Lack of focus Poor coordination Delayed development (speech, social skills, movement, etc.) Learning disability Intellectual disability Heart problems Immature or aggressive behaviour Unfortunately, the list continues.. Healthline Media (2017). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome#overview1 .

Physical signs, symptoms, and medical concerns of children with FAS will differ depending on the degree of FAS, how much alcohol was consumed during pregnancy, and at what stages. Dr. Mary Harding (2016) lists common symptoms and signs of FAS: A small head Groove between nose and lip is flattened A thin upper lip A flat bridge of the nose Drooping eyelids Small eyes that are closer together Skin folds of the upper eyelids Harding, M. (2016). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved from https://patient.info/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-leaflet .

“The prevalence of FAS in the United States has been reported as 1-3 per 1000 live births.” There are currently no national statistics for prevalence of FAS in Canada. Cases of FAS are most commonly reported in small communities in Canada, including First Nations and Aboriginal: “ In an isolated Aboriginal community in British Columbia, FASD prevalence was 190 per 1000 live births.” “It is likely that 37% of babies have been exposed to multiple episodes of binge drinking (5+ drinks per session). ” “It is probable that 10% to 15% of children are significantly enough affected by prenatal alcohol exposure to require special education.” “FASD is 100% preventable.” Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society. Retrieved from http://www.faslink.org/index.htm Godel, J. (2002). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Paediatr Child Health, 7 (3), pp. 161-174.

Simply put, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol which is then passed on to the fetus. During the first few weeks or months of pregnancy, a woman may not know that she is in fact pregnant. This is when severe damage can be done to the developing fetus. Alcohol in the mother’s bloodstream may be passed onto the baby. Depending on the stage in pregnancy, alcohol may have varying effects on the developing fetus. Harding, M. (2016). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved from https://patient.info/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-leaflet . Hutchinson, N. (2014). Inclusion of Exceptional Learners in Canadian Schools: A Practical Handbook for Teachers . Canada: Pearson.

According to Hutchinson (2014), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a significant neurodevelopmental disability caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol (p. 151). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one condition in the whole group of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Other conditions include: Alcohol related birth defects (ARBD) Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS) Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) Harding, M. (2016). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved from https://patient.info/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-leaflet . Hutchinson, N. (2014). Inclusion of Exceptional Learners in Canadian Schools: A Practical Handbook for Teachers . Canada: Pearson.