2. Sr. Mary Sartor, SND, MA Director of Education, FASD Specialist

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES To discuss brain damage as a cause of challenging behaviors To learn some strategies to support learning

4. BRAIN BEHAVIOR is about the BRAIN!

5. BEHAVIOR AS COMMUNICATION BRAIN  BEHAVIOR

6. CAUSES Injury Head trauma Genetics Toxins

7. CAUSES “Of all the substances of abuse, including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus.” --Institute of Medicine Report to Congress (1996)

8. NEW PREVALENCE RESEARCH Philip May, PhD., et. al. Interagency Coordinating Committee on FASD

9. ALCOHOL => BRAIN DAMAGE May cause or contribute to many of the behavioral and functional problems seen in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure. Diffuse brain damage

10. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. May include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. Not a diagnostic term

11. IMPACT ON THE BRAIN CNS Dysfunction Cognition Executive function Motor development Sensory integration Attention & hyperactivity Social skills

12. PRIMARY DISABILITIES CNS dysfunction; brain damage Memory impairment Processing problems Poor judgment Difficulty learning from consequences Inconsistent performance Difficulty transitioning Impulsivity, distractibility, disorganization

13. BEHAVIOR COMMUNICATES Reframe

14. REFRAME YOUR PERCEPTIONS from “WON’T to CAN’T” Child is willful – Annoying Lazy, unmotivated Telling lies Acting younger Attention getting Fussy Child can’t – Frustrated Tired of failing Fills in the blanks Being younger Needs support Sensitive to light, sound, touch SHIFT

15. CHANGE YOUR APPROACH From trying harder Stopping behavior Behavior modification Change the child To trying differently Preventing problems Visual clues & support Change environment & responding differently SHIFT

16. KEY QUESTIONS BEHAVIOR THAT APPEARS DEFIANT IS IT caused by… An environmental factor? The way the information was presented? The way the information was processed? Memory problems? Developmental stage? Language / communication problem? Not given enough time?

17. SO… Change the environment to prevent, eliminate or change behavioral symptoms. Be proactive.

18. MOTTO INSTEAD OF TRYING HARDER, TRY DIFFERENTLY –Dianne Malbin, MSW

19. GENERAL STRATEGIES Role-playing Direct teaching Multi-sensory approach Provide visuals Eight magic keys KISSS – when giving directions Keep it short, specific, simple Choice (1:2) Group activity with supervision

20. 8 MAGIC KEYS ConcreteConsistency RepetitionRoutine SimplicitySpecific StructureSupervision Evenson, D. & Lutke, J. (1997) Eight magic keys: developing successful interventions for students with fas. Fasalaska Project FACTS. www.fasalaska.com.

21. MASTER KEY Does my teacher like me?

22. EVERY CHILD NEEDS A CHAMPION!

23. BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Memory problems Structure Routine Posted agenda Visual cues 1 direction at a time Repetition Lists & cue cards Re-teach

24. BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Processing Deficits Get child’s attention Speak slower & use short sentences Avoid talking so much Give extra time Simple Repetition Multi-sensory Use visual cues with oral

25. BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Language deficits Explain idioms Avoid sarcasm Slow pace Be concrete Use visual supports Check for understanding Use comic strips Wordless picture books

26. BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Attention Issues Define space Preferential seating Show me Use child’s name

27. BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Difficulty with Transitions 5 or 10 minute warnings Visual timers/clocks Distraction Agenda with times posted

28. BEHAVIORS AND INTERVENTIONS Inability to transfer/generalize and apply knowledge Role play situations and rules Connect consequence to cause as soon as possible Create lists, charts

29. TYPICAL STRENGTHS OF PERSONS WITH AN FASD Friendly and cheerful Likable Desire to be liked Helpful Verbal Determined Have points of insight Hard working Every day is a new day!

30. RESOURCES – WEB doublearc.org cdc.gov/ncbddd fasdcenter.samhsa.gov notasingledrop.mh.state.oh.us/ fasdelephant.com/podcast/ education.alberta.ca/admin/special/resource s/fasd.aspx  nofas.org  do2learn.com  fasalaska.com

31. SUMMARY What struck you? What are you going to do differently to help your students succeed?

32. RESOURCES Double ARC / NOFAS Ohio Sr. Mary Sartor – 419.724.1354 Director of Education; FASD Specialist Sr. Suzette Fisher – 419.724.1353 Director of Client Services; FASD Specialist www.doublearc.org 3837 Secor Road ♦ Toledo, Ohio 43623