1. Kids with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

2. 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%

3. 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.

4. 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….

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Dysmaturity Chronological Age: 14 Developmental Age: 8
Comprehension Age: 7
Verbal Skills:

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

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