Supporting Students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

FASD in Alberta 1 in 100 are diagnosed 46,000 people diagnosed with FASD in Alberta 500 babies born affected a year $1.8 million over a lifetime Annual cost to Albertans $927.5 million of 20

What is FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Brain injury to developing brain Caused by alcohol exposure in utero May look different in different individuals A “consistent pattern of inconsistencies” of 20

-alcohol is a teratogen – meaning it can cross the placenta barrier and goes directly to the developing fetus -alcohol interferes with developing cells of fetus at anytime in utero -other drugs are also teratogenic…..heroin, crack, cocaine, meth, and prescription medications -alcohol is the most damaging teratogen and the effects on the fetus are far worse then any drug of 20

How is FASD diagnosed? Individuals are assessed by a multi-disciplinary team 3 key areas are looked at: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Facial Dysmorphology Brain Impairment -Facial dysmorphology is very rare -only happens with alcohol use days 19-21 of 20

Brain Injury: Communication Memory Adaptive function Academics Executive functions Attention Intelligence Motor functioning Affect Regulation of 20

Brain Growth Brain develops from the bottom up, starts as a stem grows up and out -cauliflower of 20

Developing Structures Structures and function are affected at a basic level of development -if most basic levels are impaired brainstem damage would result in fetus death -further away from the base, the more damage Glial cells development impaired Neurons killed and impaired of 20

What do Educators See? Mental health problems Disrupted school experiences Easily victimized Trouble with the law Inappropriate sexual behaviour Alcohol and drug problems Problems with employment and living independently (Streissguth, 1997) of 20

A new approach to professional learning: Professionals without Parachutes

PWP Goals attain a shared understanding of the change and impacts possible in FASD explore a 'process based' understanding of FASD that fosters responsive problem solving support development of collaborative networks that are geared towards flexible and creative approaches in working with individuals with FASD discuss application of research to support best practices of 20

The Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium and the Learning Network, on behalf of ARPDC and the School and Community Supports Branch at Alberta Education, developed a resource to develop teacher capacity to better support students with FASD.

The goals of the project were to: Increase knowledge and understanding of FASD among professionals working with students with FASD Build teacher capacity to better support students with FASD in the classroom context Develop a learning resource package to support anytime, anywhere professional learning to build teacher capacity to support students with FASD. Instructional videos, accompanying learning guides and additional resources were released this fall.

its effect on the brain and Developed by Dr. Jacqueline Pei and her colleagues, this PD resource provides: an explanation of FASD its effect on the brain and the impact it can have on student learning, social/emotional behaviour and the classroom environment. Strategies for designing classroom instruction and routines to support students with FASD are also highlighted. 14

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Supporting Students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Module #1: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the Developing Brain Module #2: Brain Structure VS Brain Function Module #3: The Brain and Emotional Regulation . 16

How might you use these videos and modules with staff at your school? These modules can be used by any person or staff wanting to understand Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Additional Resources to Support

http://engagingalllearners.ca

For more information, please contact: Thank you! For more information, please contact: info@erlc.ca