By Noah Barnett and Alaina Swain
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, also known as FASD, occurs when an individual’s mother consumes alcohol during her pregnancy. FASD occurs in about 40,000 babies in the United States every single year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference”). Some effects of FASD include “physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference”).
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, also known as FASD, occurs when an individual’s mother consumes alcohol during her pregnancy. FASD occurs in about 40,000 babies in the United States every single year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference”). Some effects of FASD include “physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference”).
Due to FASD, infants are often born with brain damage that can make it difficult for them to stay out of trouble as they get older. As infants with this disorder grow into children, they are often mistaken for being uncooperative and careless. Because of this, many of them lack the diagnosis and help that they need until many negative behaviors have occurred. Living with FASD comes with a lot of challenges for kids, such as memory loss, lack of communication skills, attention deficits, reading comprehension issues, problems with social behaviors, inability to understand cause and effect, difficulty organizing tasks, and visual problems. Many act out because they do not understand what is going on around them. Many children with FASD are at higher risks for being involved with juvenile centers. Also, they do not understand their rights and may say that they are guilty of behaviors and actions that they did not do. They want people to like and accept them; therefore, sometimes, they feel that providing false information may please others around them (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference”).
To help identify young children who may have FASD and address their deficits, education and training are available for professionals. When dealing with children who suffer from FASD, following a routine is key so that they are aware of expectations. In this routine, constant supervision is necessary to develop positive behaviors. Also, when dealing with students who have FASD, remember to keep it simple with few distractions. In addition, these students learn better in small groups or one-on-one environments (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Tips for Elementary School Teachers”).
In order to decrease the prevalence of this disorder, the most important solution is for expectant mothers to not consume any type of alcohol during their pregnancy. Those children who are affected by this disorder need a non-judgmental support system, a diagnosis and/or treatment plan, and communicating with others about it. For more information about FASD, you can visit the website at fasdcenter.samhsa.gov or call 866-STOPFAS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Tips for Elementary School Teachers”).
Works Cited
U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources. “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference.” DHHS. 2007. Print.
---“Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Tips for Elementary School Teachers.” June 2004. Print.
(Note: This article was provided through the Students Assistance Program at Canton High School and was written by two CHS seniors.)
To help identify young children who may have FASD and address their deficits, education and training are available for professionals. When dealing with children who suffer from FASD, following a routine is key so that they are aware of expectations. In this routine, constant supervision is necessary to develop positive behaviors. Also, when dealing with students who have FASD, remember to keep it simple with few distractions. In addition, these students learn better in small groups or one-on-one environments (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Tips for Elementary School Teachers”).
In order to decrease the prevalence of this disorder, the most important solution is for expectant mothers to not consume any type of alcohol during their pregnancy. Those children who are affected by this disorder need a non-judgmental support system, a diagnosis and/or treatment plan, and communicating with others about it. For more information about FASD, you can visit the website at fasdcenter.samhsa.gov or call 866-STOPFAS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Tips for Elementary School Teachers”).
Works Cited
U.S. Department of Health and Human Sources. “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Juvenile Justice: How Professionals Can Make a Difference.” DHHS. 2007. Print.
---“Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Tips for Elementary School Teachers.” June 2004. Print.
(Note: This article was provided through the Students Assistance Program at Canton High School and was written by two CHS seniors.)