A Short Note On Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - 973 Words

What is FASD? FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) is an umbrella term that describes a variety of possible effects that can be experienced by individuals who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD encompasses several medical diagnoses including FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), pFAS(Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) and ARND (Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder) (â€Å"What Educators†. 3). Characteristics: In order to understand children with FASD, we must understand that the following have been brain domains have been affected: physical motor skills, sensory processing skills, cognition, communication skills, academic achievement, memory skills, executive function and abstract reasoning, attention deficit/ hyperactivity, and adaptive†¦show more content†¦This can lead to impulsivity, and manifests itself as bad behaviour, as consequences often do not offer the desired effect (â€Å"Special Education†, n.d.). Students with FASD often struggle in school due to this combination of behavioural issues, lowered IQ and the aforementioned cognitive impairment that generally results in learning disabilities. On the positive side, the impulsivity of FASD affected individuals means that every day is a fresh start; they can have a successful day even after having a string of bad ones. Students with FASD can also be very creative, talented, artistic, great story tellers, funny, and loving; they are bound to offer a classroom diversity and a new perspective. (â€Å"What Educators†, 7) Children affected by FASD often appear quite similar to any other child. Still, some physical indicators may include a characteristic thin upper lip, smooth philtrum (no grove between upper lip and nose), short eye slits, and flatter cheeks (â€Å"Conditions Factsheets†, 2014). FASD individuals are also often smaller than average. (Reardon) Diagnosis: FASD is very difficult to properly diagnose, as symptoms vary, and there is often little or no physical indication. On top of this, maternal confirmation of alcohol consumption is required to obtain a diagnosis, and due to the negative stigma related to the disability, mothers are often reluctant to divulge this information (â€Å"What Educators†.