Denica Dione Patterson SPAN Placement Student 2016 FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): “FASD can be used to describe both neurological brain damage and physical anomalies as a direct result of alcohol exposure to a fetus or embryo during pregnancy. The word “spectrum” is used to describe the wide ranging effects in individuals with the disability.” (Regina Community Clinic, 2013)

Memory Issues: Inconsistent memory May ‘make up’ information in order to fill the gaps of memory Decisions: Decision-making struggles Inability to understand responsibility Social Skills: Incapacity to understand social cues Different boundaries Time and Place: Change of routines may cause a change in emotion and attitude Inability to understand the concept of time and appointments Communication: Fill in ‘memory gaps’ with creative stories Unable to understand abstract meanings Need to be explained things as a young child would need to be (Regina Community Clinic, 2013; Cherron, 2015) SIGNS of FASD:

Diagnoses through consultation of psychologists, psychiatrists and other health practitioners with certain qualifications: –Multidisciplinary assessment teams –Examine brain domain –Facial dysmorphology, growth, neurobehavioral and medical history of prenatal exposure DIAGNOSES: (Regina Community Clinic, 2013)

FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) All physical characteristics and brain damage, the least common pFAS (Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) Some physical characteristics, but not all, and brain damage Physical differences may be very subtle and easily overlooked ARNS (Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder) No physical characteristics, but brain damage ARBD (Alcohol Related Birth Defects) Defects in fetal developmental that result in birth defects PAE (Prenatal Alcohol Exposure) FASD can be misdiagnosed as only: ADHD, ODD, CD, Depression, Anxiety, Attachment Disorder, and/or PTSD unless connected back to PAE. To ask an individual with FASD to improve upon a brain area that is damaged; is to ask a blind person to see. FOUR DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORIES OF FASD: (Healthy Child Manitoba, 2013)

There is currently no known medical treatment for individuals with FASD TREATMENT: (Charron, 2015)

Mental health problems –Psychiatric conditions Have learning issues –Unlikely to finish education –Academically, socially, vocationally –Memory impairments More likely to… –Experience trouble with the law (and be confined to prison) – Be involved with the child welfare systems Parental abandonment and neglect –Be admitted into a mental institution Higher chance of… –Homelessness –Suicide –Maladaptive social behaviour Drug and/or alcohol abuse and addiction Interpersonal and social challenges –Victimization by others OUTCOMES of FASD: (Regina Community Clinic, 2013; Rafferty-Bugher & Brown, 2015)

5 million people in Ireland, Britain, Scotland and Wales 256 combinations of FASD FASD in SCOTLAND: (Charron, 2015)

Individual with FASD BENEFIT from: family and community support PRISON: rules and structure, but aggressive nature, unsuitable for FASD Challenges in prison setting: Struggle understanding consequences, abstract concepts, time management, social cues, poor impulse control, inappropriate sexual behaviour Manipulation Victimization FASD and PRISON: (Heidema, 2008)

FASD and ART: Individuals with FASD… Are often artistic Abilities surpass their age Are storytellers, actors, comedians Benefit from arts projects, community theater, music therapy (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, nd; Rafferty-Bugher & Brown, 2015)

Music: Helps with… SOCIAL: social skills, interaction and bonding; socialization and communication. MENTAL: enhancing areas of the brain; assist with circuitry parts of the brain damaged, promote nerve growth in the brain. EMOTIONAL: outlet for emotions; assist with communicating feelings; calming effect **Must be cognizant that the various loud noises may be overwhelming, so earplugs should be available FASD and ART: (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, nd; Rafferty-Bugher & Brown, 2015)

Art: Helps with… MENTAL: improve brain circuitry, decrease impulsivity and violence, increase concentration; establish coping and relaxation tactics; enhance ability to focus EMOTIONAL: stress-reduction and emotional regulation; acquire non-verbal expression of feelings; increase self-esteem; improve positive social relations; increase self-awareness FASD and ART: (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, nd; Rafferty-Bugher & Brown, 2015)

Visual cues for teaching, allow better information processing Personal sketchbooks, also assisted with memory issues Scented markers, varied sensory processing Mandalas USEFUL TACTICS: (Rafferty-Bugher & Brown, 2015)

References: Charron, C. (2015). FASD presentation. Presentation. Healthy Child Manitoba. (2016). FASD. Heidema, C. (2008, November 16). Prison is no solution for victims of FASD; Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder sufferers face an increased risk of incarceration. Times – Colonist. Retrieved from: National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (nd). Art and Music. Retrieved from: Rafferty-Bugher, E. and Brown, J. (2015). FASD and art therapy: An exploratory review. Forensic Scholars Today, 3 (1: FASD Special Edition), 1-6. Retrieved from: content/uploads/2015/12/FST-1.3-FASD-and-Art-Therapy-An- Exploratory-Review.pdfhttp://online.csp.edu/wp- content/uploads/2015/12/FST-1.3-FASD-and-Art-Therapy-An- Exploratory-Review.pdf Regina Community Clinic. (2013). FASD: Glossary of terms. Accessed on January 18, 2016, from: &cd=0& &cd=0& Thomson, G. (2010, August 21). More prisons won’t help those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; Many repeat offenders suffer from FASD but better programs needed. Edmonton Journal. Retrieved from: content/uploads/2013/07/More_prisons_wont_help_those_with_fetal _alcohol_spectrum_disorder.pdfhttp://fetalalcoholconference.com/wp- content/uploads/2013/07/More_prisons_wont_help_those_with_fetal _alcohol_spectrum_disorder.pdf