Fetal Alcohol Syndrome(FAS)

Presentation by Teighan Kyle and Claire Hurley.

What is FASNeurodevelopment disorder that effects:• Corpus Callosum: transfers from left to right side of

the brain• Hippocampus: Memory• Cerebellum: coordination and movement• Basal ganglia: ability to switch from mood to mood

and behaviour• Frontal lobe: impulse and judgment

Signs and characteristics

Different types• FAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• FAE: Fetal Alcohol Effects or partial FAS

• ARND: Alcohol related neurodevelopment disorder

• ARBD: Alcohol Related Birth Defects

Impact on child• Poor impulse control• Difficulty focusing• Poor memory and information processing• Forget new tasks quickly• Inappropriate sexual behaviour• Trouble seeing other peoples perspectives• Emotional immaturity

Impacts on parents• Close supervision at all times• Behaviour problems• Attachment issues• Alcohol abuse• Judgement from others• Strict routines• Use same language at all times

Impacts on learning• Input of information• Integration of processing and interpreting

content• Memory• Trouble forming sequences• Retaining information• Gross and fine motor skill issues

Stats• FAS can be seen in any socioeconomic status• Is the leading mental defect disorder• South Africa 40 out of 1000 children are born

with FAS• France and Germany 1 in 330, Sweden 1 in 600• USA 1 in a 1000• Australia 0.18 in 1000, however aboriginal

communities have 1 in 170

The practical implicationsThe four steps

1. Collect information2. Make a plan3. Evaluate the plan4. Make a referral

Strategies and adaptations for teachers in the classroom

• Environment• Lay out• Teacher • Inclusion• Small lesson sections• Practical involvement • Routine • Adapt to whole school

Behaviour strategies as a whole• Limits and rules• Pre established consequences• Non varying rules and expectations• ILP’s• Extrinsic rewards• Praise • Positive reinforcement• Parent/teacher communication

Issues raised • Whole school awareness of Alcohol use• Having support for transition from class to

class• Whole school meetings regarding

management• Buddy systems• Uncluttered, structured classrooms with clear

rules

Children with FAS

Pictured right is the brain of a child with FAS at 6 weeks of age.