Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Michael Brisson
• and
• Joel Eidt

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How is FAS diagnosed?

• the diagnosis of FAS is focused on four specific
  areas growth patterns, facial features, brain
  functioning, and the amount of alcohol exposure
  during gestation
• the level of impairment across these four areas
  can range from mild to severe

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Impact of FAS on Functional Domains

• the various characteristics of FAS differently
  impact language / communication, social /
  behavioural, academic / cognitive, and adaptive
  functioning

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Impact of FAS on Functional Domains

• Language/Communication interprets cues
  incorrectly difficulty with nonverbal
  communication understands language only at
  literal level talkative with adequate or above
  vocabulary expressive or receptive deficits

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Impact of FAS on Functional Domains

• Social/Behavioural interpersonal problems lacks
  understanding of consequences of behaviour
  attention difficulties temper tantrums
  impulsive, unpredictable behaviour difficulty
  regulating behaviour

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Impact of FAS on Functional Domains

• Academic/Cognitive difficulty understanding
  abstract concepts lack of judgement and
  reasoning skills difficulty understanding time
  and sequence challenged by meaning of cause and
  effect unmotivated, unorganized deficits in
  short/long-term memory

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Impact of FAS on Functional Domains

• Adaptive Behaviour doesnt follow or understand
  rules in social games difficulty communicating
  needs and wants doesnt understand
  time-sensitive tasks difficulty with
  decision-making skills and problem solving
  immature behaviour lacks independent living
  skills problems with age-appropriate hygiene
  tasks

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Sample IEP and Suggested Interventions

• IEP Goal Jack will demonstrate appropriate
  social skills in a peer group setting.
• Language/Communication Use speech and language
  therapy sessions to model and role-play
  appropriate conversation skills with a structured
  peer group. Teach social skills one-on-one and
  rehearse before group practice.

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Sample IEP and Suggested Interventions

• Social/Behavioural Positively reinforce
  appropriate social skills. Groups are structured
  according to Jacks level of skill. Address
  instruction in small sets of related behaviours,
  with visual and concrete reinforcement of
  progress.

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Sample IEP and Suggested Interventions

• Academic/Cognitive Use small, structured group
  settings in Jacks strongest areas. Provide
  concrete directions for group tasks, increasing
  group time and complexity as Jack progresses.
  Use visual reminders of expected group
  behaviours. Provide direct problem-solving
  instruction focused on content area.

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Sample IEP and Suggested Interventions

• Adaptive Behaviour Provide practice joining a
  group during lunch, recess, and phys ed class
  with guidance and prompting from teaching
  assistant. Teach self-management, including
  self-monitoring and self-evaluation during
  resource room time.

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Online Resources on FAS

• National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  http//www.nofas.org
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Family Resource Institute
  http//www.fetalalcoholsyndrome.org
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention
  Network http//depts.washington.edu/fasdpn