Kids with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

What Is FASD? Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 10% Fetal Alcohol Effect 90% Includes facial features, growth delay, brain damage Fetal Alcohol Effect 90% FAS “without the face” Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Covers the Whole Spectrum of Damage FAE 90% FAS 10%

FASD Basic Facts The only thing that can cause FASD is mom drinking during pregnancy 90% of kids who have fetal alcohol brain damage have NO associated facial features. It’s easy to miss these kids. Facial features don’t necessarily mean the damage is worse.

FASD Facts, cont. FASD manifests itself mainly in behavior, learning, and sensory issues. Most kids with FASD have IQ’s in the normal range. The fetal damage from alcohol is far worse than other drugs. Many affected kids are also dealing with other difficulties: mental health issues, substance abuse, PTSD….

FASD Facts, cont. FASD cannot be passed down to the next generation. If mom and dad both have FASD, the baby won’t unless THAT mom drinks during THAT pregnancy. It’s not a “native problem.” FASD is an equal opportunity destroyer. It’s not a poverty-class problem.

Why Women Drink During Pregnancy May not know they are pregnant May be the only way they know how to deal with stress May be drinking alcoholically May be with a partner who doesn’t want them to stop drinking High percentage are victims of D.V. and abuse May have FASD themselves

Learning Problems Gaps in IQ Memory problems Can’t think abstractly; subtleties of language are baffling to them; concepts evade them Sloooow processors Don’t feel the passage of time Don’t transition very well Inability to generalize information May seem like they understand

Behavior Problems Brain wired poorly Can’t control impulses Can’t connect cause/effect Can’t think abstractly Moral chameleons Vulnerable to bad influences; followers Experience secondary disabilities like depression and anxiety Don’t always respond like we think they should

Sensory Problems Can’t sit still Easily overwhelmed Easily distracted Clumsy, poorly coordinated Overly sensitive to light, sound, touch Or…undersensitive to stimuli Don’t feel their place in space; not grounded May be irritated but can’t communicate it

Dysmaturity Chronological Age: 14 Developmental Age: 8 Comprehension Age: 7 Verbal Skills: 16

When to Consider an FASD Not learning from experience; can’t connect behavior with consequences “Foolish” mistakes that may not even make sense Poor impulse control Requires constant supervision Easily distracted Regular methods of discipline don’t work Doesn’t recognize danger Poor social skills Very vulnerable to peer pressure Childlike innocence despite repeated offenses (may look like lack of remorse) Confabulates; testimony seems odd or disjointed

What Helps Keep sentences short, simple. Don’t ask leading questions. Let go of your assumptions that may fit someone without brain damage. Check for understanding. They can parrot back what you say, but they may not get it. Reteach in different settings. They can’t generalize. Provide structure. Lots of it.

Interventions Think “cognitive wheelchair” Interventions that change the environment rather than trying to change the person Adjust expectations to fit what’s really going on

Think of What It Feels Like to Be A Little Out Of Step