FAS pfas ARND Fetal Alcohol Syndrome partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorder FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ARBD Alcohol Related Birth Defects
#1 cause of birth defects and childhood abnormality Studies state that mothers drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases likelihood of FASD Connection between FASD and addictive behavior Majority of women may not know when they are first pregnant (this is when FASD effects usually occurs)
One in 100 people in industrialized countries are affected with FASD. That's about 350,000 Canadians, all struggling with permanent brain damage. Each child affected with FASD will cost the public about $2.9 million in his or her lifetime for special education, social services, extra medical care. This cost does not include the costs of the criminal legal system.
Mother s use of alcohol or other drugs Mother s nutrition/overall health and access to prenatal care Exposure to violence / isolation Experience of loss Poverty Racial Discrimination
primary disabilities of FASD are those that reflect most directly the underlying brain and central nervous system damage caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. They include abnormal facial features, growth retardation, and impaired mental functioning; poor executive functioning, memory problems, impaired judgment and other effects.
Impaired rates of learning Exhibit poor memory Have trouble generalizing behavior and information Impulsive, easily distracted Abstract versus concrete thinking IQ versus AQ (coping) huge gap Display fearlessness
Demonstrate poor social judgment Lack concept of time and money management Have difficulty learning from experience Difference in sensory awareness (range from high to low sensitivity: sound, sight, smell, taste, touch) Good verbal skills without comprehension Poor problem solving strategies
Hallie Hallie age age27months 27months Mariah Mariah age age16 16 months months
Early diagnosis and intervention can help reduce the risks associated with FASD
Secondary disabilities are those that a person is not born with, and could presumably be improved through better understanding and appropriate interventions (Steissguth, Barr, Kogan & Bookstein, 1996, p. 30)
Drug and alcohol misuse Mental Health problems Physical and sexual abuse Parent at early age Prostitution Trouble with the law Homelessness Depression, suicide
Stable nurturing home Infrequent changes of household Not being a victim of violence Recipient of developmental disability services Diagnosis
Artistic (music, art) Want to please Creative Caring and compassionate Intuitive Good with small children and pets Sweet, charismatic personalities
Behavior Misreading Correct Interpretation Non compliance Willful misconduct Stubborn Attention seeking Difficulty translating verbal directions Doesn t understand Makes same mistakes Manipulative Willful Cannot link cause and effect Often late Lazy Poor parenting Time organization Out of seat behavior Willful pest Sensory integration
A manual for Community Caring FASD FAS/E Support Network of B.C.
Modify the environment Modify expectations Think younger Think perpetual innocence Exercise the brain Use sensory integration techniques Rethink, re-teach, respect
Repeat Routine Simple Concrete Consistent Structure Supervision
Give them longer to answer Re-teach skills in every environment that will be used don t assume Move from what s wrong with them to what is going on for them
Supports for birth moms of FASD children Educating potential parents on issues of FASD is essential Support parents that are at high risk of having more FASD children Assessment & Diagnosis
Appropriate interventions start with accurate and comprehensive assessments involved in: Developmental Therapy (0 3) Academic Achievement Speech / Language Therapy Occupational Therapy Medical & Psychological Assessment
Diagnosis is not just a label for funding Understand difficulties as brain damage To move beyond diagnosis to intervention To develop community supports through partnerships
Pediatrician Psychologist Speech/Language Therapist Occupational Therapist
Facial Anomalies Growth Restriction CNS Dysfunction
Growth restriction is demonstrated by height and weight below the tenth (10th) percentile, and by microcephaly Growth restriction may be apparent prenatal and/or postnatal
Decreased Cranial Size at Birth Structural Brain Abnormalities: microcephaly, partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, cerebellar hypoplasia Neurobehavioral/Cognitive Signs
4 Digit Diagnostic Tool Growth Deficiency FAS Facial Features Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction looking for evidence of brain damage Gestational Alcohol Exposure Other pre and post natal factors Completed by Pediatrician
4 = High Risk 3= Some Risk 2= Unknown 1 = No Risk Growth Deficiency FAS Facial Features CNS Damage Gestational Alcohol Significant Severe Definite High Risk 4 Moderate Moderate Probable Some Risk 3 Mild Mild Possible Unknown 2 None None Unlikely No Risk 1
Cognitive function, mental health status, adaptive behavior, and neuropsychological function Tests related to phonological awareness based on rhyme, blending words, letter knowledge, spelling, manipulation of syllables and reading paragraphs Tests relevant to neuro-skeletal, gross motor skills, perceptual and sensory processing
Complex Disorders Behavioral Conditions Clinic (CDBC) Queen Alexandra Hospital Victoria BC Asante Center Vancouver BC
Can t verses won t Trying differently, not harder Remember this is an invisible disability brainbased disorder, therefore we are the ones that need to shift our way of thinking
The key worker s role is to empower parents by providing them with support, resources and information tailored to meet their needs and act as a guide to families pre and post diagnosis.
Assistance working across systems such as Schools, Legal issues, MCFD, Financial, Diagnosis. FASD awareness and education for family members and others involved with the family Assistance interpreting diagnostic reports
Support services for birth, foster and adoptive parents Information on community resources Educating communities and relevant agencies about FASD Literature Non-judgmental person to talk to
Beacon Community Services 250-595-6626 Métis Community Services 250-391-9924 Victoria Native Friendship Centre 250-384-3211