FASD
A group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. Often, a person has a mix of these problems.
What is FASD?
A term used when there are limits to a person’s ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life. Levels vary greatly in children. Children might have a hard time letting others know their wants and needs and taking care of themselves. It could take longer to learn to speak, walk, dress, or eat without help, and they could have trouble learning in school.
What is an Intellectual Disability?
People with this may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most other people. There is often nothing about how they look that sets them apart from other people. The abilities can vary significantly. For example, some people may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal. Some people need a lot of help in their daily lives; others can work and live with little to no support.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
The student may have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. Kids do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends. You may see the student:
daydreaming a lot
forget or lose things a lot
squirm or fidget
talk too much
make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks
have a hard time resisting temptation
have trouble taking turns
have difficulty getting along with others
What is ADHD?
The mind and body's reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It's the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. A certain level helps us stay alert and aware, but for those suffering from a disorder, it feels far from normal - it can be completely debilitating.
What is Anxiety?
What are FASD neuropsychological and behavioral difficulties?
I work and understand best when things are explained in concrete ways. For example, if you want me to learn about fractions, it might be best to buy me a pizza and talk about how much each piece represents.
True
I like to know about anything before it happens. I don't really like changes and surprises.
What is prepare for transitions in advance.
What are instructional accommodations?
What are physiological and psychological reactions to anxiety?
FASD students rely on consistency, routine, and structure.
How can FASD students succeed?
Break things into smaller ideas and parts. When learning anything new, give me one instruction at a time.
How should you teach me a new skill or have me follow directions?
Stories about what I should do before the event happens really helps me to have successful interactions with peers and adults.
What is providing social stories and role modeling for social situations?
Provide immediate and frequent feedback
Allow for acceptable opportunities for movement
Use direct requests- "when...then..."
Promote regular exercise, consistent sleep hygiene and healthy nutrition routine
Set clear attainable goals and limits
Model emotional self-regulation
What are behavioural accommodations?
Feeling a little worried is good and useful. It motivates me to stop playing video games and practice some multiplication problems to feel ready for my math test tomorrow.
What is an example of a student affirmation?
What are some strategies to build structured environments with FASD students?
I benefit from lots of practice and repetition
What is learning any new idea or skill?
If you talk a lot, I sometimes get upset or may not understand what you want.
What is limit oral instructions and keep prompts simple and to the point, especially when I am upset?
What are environmental accommodations?
Taking breaks and allowing to attend a safe/calm place
Teaching breathing exercises
Modeling Problem Solving strategies
Building trust so students feel safe when seeking your help
Practice Mindfulness (thoughts, body sensations)
What are strategies to support students with anxiety?
Creativity, flexibility, humour, compassion and patience.
What are some effective teaching practices?
Please take time to let me work through my emotions. It might seem like it's not a big deal, but I might need help understanding.
What should you do when I am upset?
These things help me to navigate my daily routine at school by seeing them.
What are visual prompts, PECS, and visual schedules?
What are relationship accommodations?
What are some ways to support social interactions?
Motivate anxious students to participate in small groups with peers that may help and support them. Explaining the risks of avoidance (unattendance to school) may lead to missing out on rewarding social interactions.