FASD: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Angela Bennett, Chris Cheung, Vanessa Menendez, & Alex Morrison

What is FASD? Facts about FASD Characteristics of FASD Teaching Modifications and Strategies Conclusion

What is FASD? Facts about FASD Characteristics of FASD Teaching Modifications and Strategies Conclusion

What is FASD? Range of exceptionalities resulting from alcohol exposure during pregnancy (Public Health Agency of Canada) This includes: – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopment Disorder (ARND) – Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) – Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

Spectrum of FASD Effects of FASD vary from mild to severe deficiencies that may include (Public Health Agency of Canada): – Physical disabilities – Brain/Central nervous system dysfunction – Cognitive issues – Behavioural issues – Emotional issues

What is FASD? Facts about FASD Characteristics of FASD Teaching Modifications and Strategies Conclusion

Activity Quiz Time (Public Health Agency of Canada) True: Lasso False: Ninja Hands

Quiz Q 1 : FASD describes a range of disabilities that result from exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. A: (TRUE)

Quiz Q 2 : The medical diagnoses of FASD include: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Partial FASD (pFAS) Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD) A: (TRUE)

Quiz Q 3 : FASD is the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability among Canadians. A: (TRUE)

Quiz Q 4 : It is estimated that FASD affects approximately 0.1% (1 in 1000) of the Canadian population. A: (FALSE: It is estimated that FASD affects approximately 1%, or 1 in 100 of the Canadian Population, more than muscular dystrophy, down syndrome, and spina bifida combined)

Quiz Q 5 : FASD can be cured. A: (FALSE: FASD can not be cured and has a lifelong impact on individuals, families and society)

Quiz Q 6 : The effects of FASD, including-alcohol related birth defects, can vary from mild to severe. A: (TRUE)

Quiz Q 6 : The annual cost of FASD in Canada is estimated to be between 4 to 8 billion dollars. CanFASD: Cost of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Stade et. al, 2007): A: (TRUE: Based on the currently accepted prevalence rate of 1%, the annual cost of FASD in Canada has been estimated to cost between $4 billion and $7.6 billion) CanFASD: Cost of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Stade et. al, 2007):

What is FASD? Facts about FASD Characteristics of FASD Teaching Modifications and Strategies Conclusion

Activity Symptoms? Place your symptom as either: FASD related (Left of the screen) Not FASD related (Right of Screen)

Physical Characteristics Physical Smooth philtrum (crevasse above upper lip) Microcephaly (small brain) Growth deficits Small eye slits opening

Intellectual & Behavioural Characteristics Intellectual Poor motor control Memory problems Impaired judgement Learning disabilities Difficulties with speech and language Inconsistence performance Reasoning difficulties Difficulty understanding others Academic difficulties Behavioural Poor impulse control Attention deficits Volatile emotions Easily distracted Poor organization Difficulty shifting focus Poor adaptation to stimuli Poor social skills Poor time management Difficulty planning

What to Look for? Adaptation: Student’s reactions to the world is at an age appropriate level Language: May have difficulty understanding and using language, comprehension, and subtleties Attention: May exhibit symptoms like ADHD/ADD, showing impulsivity or inattentiveness Reasoning: May not be able to use information received, trouble accessing/applying information Memory: May exhibit memory loss Sensory Processing Disorder: Misinterpretation, hyper- or hypo sensitivity issues. FASD ONE: A–L–A–R–M-S

What is FASD? Facts about FASD Characteristics of FASD Teaching Modifications and Strategies Conclusion

Activity Group Work! Find your group, either environmental or behavioural In minutes, identify some modifications or strategies that can be made: – Environmentally (visual, auditory, etc.) – Behaviourally (Teacher, student, class dynamics etc.) In 1 minute, summarize your answers to the class

Environmental Reduce visual and auditory distractions calm colours reduce brightness of classroom lighting moderate heating have pets/plants to help students relax keep consistent seating assignments have FASD students sit near the front arrange desks in a horse-shoe shape to keep the focus on the teacher eliminate distractions (e.g., mobiles) use bulletin boards store materials out of sight use tennis balls on the feet of chairs allow use of headphones for quiet time provide a quiet space in the classroom to relax tape an area around a student ’ s desk to define personal space Use Visual cues and tools use photographs to show where things belong have a visual cue to reduce talking frame the top of a student ’ s desk with colored tape to remind them to focus colour coded calendars have a homework section on the board

Teaching & Student Behaviours Have Teaching routines restroom/water breaks – signal with the hand instead of asking allow students to keep water at their desks to reduce water breaks teach students to walk one square away from the wall, keep their hands to themselves, and the teacher should walk in the middle to easily monitor students have the same staff working with the student build in desk/locker cleaning time help students learn to organize have students sharpen pencils at once peer tutoring Clear Communication eye contact speak at the student ’ s level use clear and brief phrases tactile examples present one step at a time and check for understanding frequently use demonstrations, pictures, and visual cues use concrete learning examples strategies.pdf

What is FASD? Facts about FASD Characteristics of FASD Teaching Modifications and Strategies Conclusion

Food for Thought “Most women quit drinking when they realize that they are pregnant.” - Donna Clarke-McMullen, RN, MN, Clinical Educator, Mental Health Program, Kingston General Hospital “There are many many cases of heavy drinking in the first trimester of pregnancy before a woman is actually aware that she’s pregnant.” - James Reynolds, PhD, Center for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University Remember: Many women who drink while pregnant are not aware that they are pregnant. A non-judgmental approach towards parents is of critical importance in a school setting. “There’s no so-called ‘safe period’ during embryonic fetal development of the brain where alcohol exposure can occur without potential injury to that developing brain.” -Jim Brien, PhD, Center for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University Remember: Education and prevention are the most effective methods of reducing the instances of FASD.

Food for Thought