Strategies for Teaching Students with FAS

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.

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A Case Study

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

What is FAS?

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.

FAS in the Classroom

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 .

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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