fetal alcohol syndrome presentation
DESCRIPTION
PowerPoint presentation regarding many facets of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Feel free to share this with anyone who would benefit from this information. Some of the information is quite shocking. Included parenting and teaching strategies for those responsible for caring for a child with FASD.TRANSCRIPT
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
100% Avertable Disability
#1 Cause of Mental Retardation
What causes FASD?
• Exposure to alcohol during prenatal period – More frequent alcohol use increases the risk to the fetus.
• Only a few drinks during critical phases of development may lead to FASD.
– Critical stages of development occur within the first month of pregnancy. (Frequently, the mother does not know she is pregnant before alcohol exposure has harmed the fetus).
• Fathers who drink heavily prior to the conception of the baby may adversely affect the baby.
Alcohol Exposure During the Pregnancy Trimesters
• First: During the first trimester, alcohol interferes with the migration and organization of brain cells and the formation of the CNS.
• Second: Heavy drinking during the second trimester, particularly from the 10th to 20th week after conception, seems to cause more clinical features of FAS than at other times during pregnancy.
• Third: During the third trimester, the hippocampus is greatly affected, which leads to problems with encoding visual and auditory information (reading and math) and the inability to form or retain new memories.
Dark lines = Great fetal sensitivity
Light lines = Continued alcohol sensitivity
FAS Physical Characteristics
Head
•Small head circumference
•Small eye openings
•Smooth, wide philtrum
•Thin upper-lip
Other
•Organ deformities
•Skeletal abnormalities
•Central nervous system damage
•Behavioral problems
* Facial characteristics may not be present at all if the mother
did not drink alcohol during the brief period that the mid-face
was forming - around the 20th week of pregnancy.
Intellectual Characteristics
•IQ ranges from very low to
above average
•Difficulty storing and
retrieving information
•Struggles with abstract
concepts
•Trouble staying at task
•Difficulty generalizing
knowledge and experiences
Behavioral Issues
•Unaware of social mores
•Poor judgment
•Hyperactivity
•Impulsive
•Emotionally Immature
•Unable to remember and
or apply rules
*Problems often intensify as the child moves though
the teen years and manifest in criminal behaviors
Degree of Disability
Mild Disability
• Developmental delays
• IQ normal to above normal
• Learning disabilities
• Behavioral disabilities
including ADHD,
impulsiveness, and anxiety
• Little or no physical deformities
Severe Disability
• Developmental delays
• Mean IQ under 70
• Learning disabilities
• Behavioral disabilities
including ADHD,
impulsiveness, and anxiety
• Profound physical deformities
Fetal Alcohol Effects or FAE
FAE is not as easily identifiable as FAS
because there may be fewer physical
abnormalities, but knowledge of maternal
use of alcohol makes it certain that brain
damage has occurred.
FAE Continued. . .
1. Kids with FAE show little or
no physical abnormalities 1. I.Q. may range between 20 - 130
2. Learning disabilities
3. Motor skills dysfunction
4. Hyperactivity
5. Hypoactivity
6. ADD
7. Criminal activity
8. Court and Mental Health involvement
FACTS ABOUT FAS AND FAE
1. At least 5,000 babies are born each year with FAS.
2. 50,000 children show symptoms of FAE.
3. FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation.
4. FAS/FAE found in all races and socio-economic groups.
5. FAS/FAE is irreversible physical and mental damage.
6. Many children labeled as learning disabled are believed
to be FAE children.
7. The behavioral and mental problems of FAE children are
no less than those of FAS children.
FACTS ABOUT FAS AND FAE, Cont.
8. Many children with FAS/FAE are unable to understand cause
and effect, or distant consequences.
9. Many FAS/FAE children have poor coordination, short attention
spans, are either hyperactive or hypoactive, and have behavioral
problems.
10. Costs to the American taxpayers is $321 every year in care,
detainment, prosecution, institutionalization and incarceration for
misjudged or undiagnosed FAS/FAE people.
11. The cost to the FAS/FAE person is inestimable, because it lasts
a lifetime.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderImpact on Learning
Most Common Factors Impacting Learning(Child can’t vs. Child won’t)
Primary / Inherent
• Attention deficits
• Delayed speech
• Poor motor skills
• Learning Disabilities
• Difficulty following
directions
Secondary / Behavioral
• Easily frustrated
• Aggressive behavior
• Easily tired
• Anxiety
• Transition difficulties
As a Parent, Words to Live By… Always be positive; laugh whenever you can.
Argue with them less.
Engage them in activities that they enjoy.
Punish less.
Always hug them and tell them you love them, even
when you are upset or angry.
Never give up!!!!
Crying is OK.
Monitor and regulate what they watch on television.
Cont. . . Do not make them relive the poor decisions they
have made.
Do not ask too much of them or they will put a lot of
pressure on themselves.
Get enough sleep, good food, and exercise. They
need you to be at your best to help them be their
best.
Join an FASD Support Group.
With support through structure, supervision,routine, and consistency, your child may
experience success.
Remember, “STRATEGIES NOT SOLLUTIONS!”
• FAS Children do learn, but all learn differently, “find what works best and stick to it!”
• Create a friendly and structured home environment that is familiar. . .
• Creating routines/schedules serves as anchors overtime for children with FAS/FAE
• Limit changes in their routine/schedules “less is better!” To avoid overwhelming
Teachers, Signs/Clues
• External Signs:– Daydreaming 50% of class time– Bitten fingers, fingernails and/or lips– Silence for long periods – Forgetfulness on a hourly/daily basis– Anger– Facial deformities
Teacher Cont. . .• Internal Signs:
– Confusion• Frequently asks:
– What time is it?– What class is this?
– Emotional Breakdowns• Tears things without making noises
• Retreat from everything, staring
• High anxiety, non-verbal
– Inappropriate sexual activities• Inappropriate touching
Teaching Tips
• Create a calm and quite learning environment
• Limit distractions• Instead of telling them to take notes:
– Tell them what to write (Accommodation)– Tell them to listen for something they hear
more than once– Listen for lists– Provide them with a copy of your notes
Parenting and Teaching
Try differently, not harder!
References• Emory University (n.d.). Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development.
Retrieved December 28, 2009 from http://www.psychiatry.emory.edu/ PROGRAMS/GADrug/fasqa.htm#does
• Graefe, Sara. (2004). (Ed.). Living with FASD: A Guide For Parents. British Columbia: Special Needs Adoptive Parents. Groundwork Press. Retrieved December 23, 2009 from website: http://www.faslink.org/strategies_not_solutions.pdf
• Kellerman, Teresa (2005). Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Retrieved December 28, 2009 from http://www.come-over.to/FAS/faschar.htm
• Kellerman, Teresa (2008). Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the Brain. Retrieved December 28, 2009 from http://www.come-over.to/FAS/FASbrain.htm
References Continued• Kock, Gregory C. &Kupesky, Regina H. (2002). Parenting the Hurt Child:
Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow. Pinon Press. Retrieved December 23, 2009 from website: http://www.faslink.org/strategies_not_solutions.pdf
• Learning about FASD (2009). Retrieved December 31, 2009 from
http://www.fasdoutreach.ca/elearning/learning-about-fasd
• Look Who’s in Jail! (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2009 from http://www.come-over.to/FAS/jailbaby.htm
• Mayo Clinic (2009). Fetal Alcohol Ayndrome. Retrieved December 28, 2009, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol- syndrome/DS00184/ DSECTION=symptoms.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (n.d.). Module 10K Fetal
Alcohol Exposure. Retrieved January 2, 2010 from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Social/Module10KFetaExposure
/Module10K.html