Causes of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome):
Sam Passer
Characteristics of FAS:
Sam Passer
- Alcohol enters the bloodstream and affects the developing fetus by crossing the placenta
- Alcohol causes higher blood alcohol concentrations in the developing fetus because a fetus metabolizes alcohol slower than an adult
- Alcohol interferes with oxygen delivery and best possible nutrition to the baby's developing issues and organs, and the brain
Sam Passer
Characteristics of FAS:
- Physical Defects:
- Distinctive facial features (wide-set eyes, extremely thin upper lip, a short-upturned nose)
- Joints, limbs, and fingers are deformed
- Physical growth is slow before and after birth
- Difficulty seeing or problems with hearing
- Head circumference and brain size are small
- Heart defects/ problems with bones & kidneys - Brain/Central Nervous System (CNS) problems:
- Balance or coordination are poor
- Learning disorders and developmentally delayed
- Memory is poor
- Hard to pay attention and process information
- Judgment skills are poor
- Troubles with problem solving/reasoning and identifying consequences of choices
- Moods change rapidly - Social/Behavioral Issues:
- School is difficult
- Hard to get along with others
- Social skills are poor
- Concept of time is poor/difficult to stay on task
- Hard to adapt with change/move from one task to another
- Hard time of setting goals and meeting goals
Sam Passer
How does it feel to have FAS:
(A blog on a person writing how they feel about having fas)- http://fasarizona.com/ihavefas.htm
Sam Passer
Accommodations:
- Consistency is key - the way it is first learned is crucial and will have a lasting effect (re-learning/change is very difficult).
- A lot of repetition should be used. Students with FAS need more time and repetition than average to learn and retain all the information.
- Use multi-sensory instruction - visual, olfactory, kinesthetic, tactile & auditory.
- Model appropriate behavior (always trying to be respectful, patient and kind).
- Use pictures, drawings, symbols, or charts to post rules and schedules.
- Positive self-talk should always be encouraged.
Sam Passer
Modifications:
- Assignments/Tests can be modified when needed - shortened, reworded, extended time to finish.
- Modify directions - act out directions, use visuals, verbal cues - anything that will help student learn better.
- Repeat! Repeat! Repeat! Rehearse! Rehearse! Rehearse!
(Darla Hess, M.Ed, Instructional Specialist)
Sam Passer
Resources for Parents:
- http://www.semel.ucla.edu/fas/resources/families
- http://www.healthybrainsforchildren.org/fetal-alcohol-education/resources.html
- http://www.thearc.org/what-we-do/resources/fact-sheets/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder
- http://fasd.typepad.com/resources/daily_guide_for_living.pdf
- http://www.nofas.org/living-with-fasd/
Sam Passer
Children Books:
- Kids Explore the Gifts of Children with Special Needs, by: J. Muir Publications
- The Best I Can Be: Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, by: Liz Kulp
- Nuzzle: Love Between a Boy and his Service Dog, by: Donnie Kanter Winokur
Sam Passer
Scenarios:
1. "My name is Matthew, and I was born to a birth mom who couldn't take care of me. She had a lot of problems with addiction. She made an adoption plan and she sent me to live with the family that also adopted my biological sister, Alicia. When I was born, my head had no soft spot, so I needed an operation to fix it. I now have a 13 inch scar on my head that I call my zipper. I also had a hole in my heart and re flux. From that, I became failure to thrive and I had all kinds of problems. I never slept as a baby. The slightest noise would startle me. I had a seizure once and it scared Mom and Dad. I didn't walk until I was two years old and got plastic shoe inserts. I learned to talk by Mom and Dad using sign language and pictures to help me focus. I was diagnosed with FAS at Children's Hospital. I also have ADHD and am being tested for PDD or Asperger’s syndrome. I am obsessed with cleaning floors. All Mom's friends are jealous, but my mom says it's a consolation prize, whatever that is. I also LOVE my sit-and-spin and am on it up to 3 hours a day, singing with my eyes rolled back. Nana says it's creepy. My Grampy fixes heavy machine trucks and I LOVE that, too. Mom and Auntie Jo just went to my IEP last week and had to explain to them why I have to stay in occupational therapy. My sister, Alicia, and I are in karate and it's fun. I love my sister, too - sometimes. - written by Matthew’s adopted mother, Donna Miller." (http://www.specialchild.com/archives/dz-011.html)
Accommodations/Modifications in classroom:
- Multisensory instruction
- Repetition of everything
- Visuals for schedules, rules, etc.
- Verbal cues - act out expectations
- Follow IEP plan to follow specific instruction - follow up with special education teacher/para's when needed.
- Modify assignments/tests when needed - Hear the student out - close observation
2. "Darlene is six and a half years old. She was diagnosed with FAS just before her sixth birthday. She is my foster child and has been with me for a year. he is a very affectionate little girl who loves to cuddle. She has no fear of strangers and will run to anyone. She doesn't understand boundaries when it comes to people in general. They told me that Darlene had an IQ of 57, and that she would never be able to learn. She is very hot tempered and strong willed. When they first told me that Darlene had FAS, I knew nothing about it. I did as much research as possible, but found most articles just listed the physical effects, not the behavioral. We have had our ups and downs, but Darlene has come a long way. We started her in therapy; it has done wonders for her. We are very structured and consistent with her and she is now thriving. Darlene just finished kindergarten. She went to a special needs program in the morning and then kindergarten in the afternoon. She is still behind the rest of the children, but has made progress beyond anything we had imagined. She can spell and write her name, and knows most of her letters and numbers. I know this doesn't sound like much but when Darlene came to live with us, she didn't have any concept of letters or numbers. She also has ADHD, Re-active Attachment Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. ADHD is very common in children with FAS. She is on Dexedrine for this and it is working great. I was told that children with FAS don't need much sleep and Darlene fits that perfectly. When she first came to live with us, a normal night’s sleep for her was three to four hours. She never acted tired. We tried Benadryl, but it didn't help much. She is now sleeping six to seven hours a night and we think this is wonderful. Darlene has added a lot of challenge to our lives but the joy is far greater. This is a very special little girl. - Tammi Brock"
(http://www.specialchild.com/archives/dz-011.html)
Accommodations/Modifications in classroom:
- Change/modify instruction when needed and as it states on IEP plan
- Visuals - verbal cues - acting out directions/expectations
- Area in classroom for Darlene to go when needed (frustration, anxiety, etc)
- Repetition on everything
- Schedule/rules taped on desk
References:
Children's Mental Health Services / Reach. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.cmhsreach.org/disorder_fetal.html
Hess, D. (2012, January 1). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Educational Strategies. Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.psychiatry.emory.edu/PROGRAMS/GADrug/Edfas.htm
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, June 2). Fetal alcohol syndrome. Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/basics/causes/con-20021015
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014, June 2). Fetal alcohol syndrome. Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-20021015