Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Disorder
By: Amy Jo & Sarah Gould

Effects One out of every 750 children born in the U.S.

 What is it?

Fetal alcohol spectrum

disorder(FASD) is the range of
effects that can occur in an
individual prenatally exposed to
alcohol
Physical and mental defects that
happen when the mother drinks
to much alcohol while pregnant.
Children cannot be diagnosed
until at least the age of three
No alcohol is safe while pregnant
 Cause

When alcohol enters a pregnant woman's bloodstream it circulates to

the fetus by crossing the placenta
Alcohol interferes with the fetuses ability to receive sufficient oxygen
for normal cell development in the brain and other body organs
Implications for Education

FASD causes difficulties with learning, memory and

problem solving, and paying attention
FASD can also cause hyperactivity, difficulty with
abstract concepts, poor problem solving and social
skills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRshYvkmcKA
Teachers

Have plans that are consistent

Predictable schedule
Give appropriate goals
Reduce visual and Auditory distractions
Speak face to face and use the child's name when
communicating
One step directions and check for understanding
Allow hands on teaching
Give time
 Types of FASD

Fatal alcohol syndrome: the most extreme outcome from drinking

during pregnancy.
Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder: intellectual
disabilities causing difficulty's learning math, memory, attention
judgement and impulse control skills.
Alcohol related birth defects: Can cause problems with the heart,
kidneys, bones, or hearing
 Symptoms

Growth deficiencies
Skeletal deformities
Facial abnormalities
Organ deformities
Central nervous system handicaps
Learning disabilities
 Physical defects
Distinctive facial features
including wide set eyes,
thin upper lip, short
upturned nose and
smooth skin surface
between nose and upper
lip
Slow physical growth
Vision difficulties or
hearing problems
Small head
circumference and brain
size
Opening in the roof of
the mouth
 Other Physical Defects

Heart defects
Problems with kidneys and bones
Deformed joints, limbs, and fingers
Feeding and bathing
Skin webbing between eyes
Drooping eyelids
Curved spine
Missing fingers or toes
 Brain defects

Poor coordination and

balance
Intellectual disability
Poor memory
Trouble with attention
(ADHD)
Difficulty reasoning with
problem solving
Communicating and socializing
Poor judgment skills
Jitteriness or hyperactivity
Rapid mood change
Social and behavior issues

Difficulty in school
Trouble getting along with others
Poor social skills
Trouble changing tasks
Problems with behavior
Poor concept of time
Problems staying on task
Difficulty working towards a goal
Keira Knowlton: Living with FASD
 Early intervention

Helps social skills

Helps with walking and talking
Helps to control behavioral problems
Helps improve the childs ability to function
 Treatments

There is no cure or specific treatment

Last a lifetime
Special education teacher, speech therapist and a
psychologist
Early intervention to help with walking and talking
Counseling
Medications for some of the symptoms
Treatments lead into

Special education teacher

Speech therapist
Occupational therapist
Physical therapist
Psychologist
Counseling
Medication to help with some of the symptoms
Medical care for health issues
Treatment of mothers alcohol addiction
 Family effects

Large financial toll

Counseling for both parents and child
Children with FAS need a great deal of
supervision
Unable parents are more likely to put
there child in foster care

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNffdDUO9pg
 Who Has FASD?

1 2

3
 References

www.practicenotes.org/vol2_no2/supporting_families_wi
th_children_with_FAS.htm
http
://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fetalalcoholspectrumdis
orders.html
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/special_ed/disabil
ities/fas/
http://www.usd.edu/~/media/files/medicine/center-for-di
sabilities/fasd-educational-strategies-handbook.ashx?la
=en
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-a
lcohol-syndrome/basics/treatment/con-20021015