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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and learning
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Updated
Targeted strategies for teachers to meet the multi-faceted needs of students living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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Go to top of current page: FASD and learning
Understanding FASD
FASD is an umbrella term used to describe the range of brain-based impairments that result from exposure to alcohol in the womb.
FASD is lifelong and often it is an invisible disability. A person with FASD will need support throughout each stage of their lives.
Summary of important concepts:
Teach students about alcohol harm during pregnancy
Alcohol and drug education programmes build knowledge, understanding, and develop students’ skills to critically analyse messages about alcohol and other drugs.
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Strategies for action
Four targeted strategies to meet the multi-faceted needs of students living with FASD.
Identify needs and ways to provide support
Get to know your student. Identify their interests and strengths. Use these to inform planning. Take an evidence-based approach to identify where they need support. Partner with the student, their whānau, and experts.
Dan Dubovsky talks about the importance of looking for and utilising the incredible strengths our students with FASD possess.
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Gather information to inform practice
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Key areas to support
Students with FASD may demonstrate significant challenges in competencies across a range of areas. Teaching strategies need to be based on understanding of the impact of FASD on the brain.
Teachers who are knowledgeable and open to making adjustments to curriculum programs and learning spaces while maintaining high expectations, can produce great gains with children and young people living with FASD.
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Respond to FASD impacts on the brain
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Reduce overload and sensory challenges
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Support skill and concept development
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Support social and emotional learning
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Support wellbeing and minimise distress
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
Take a Universal Design for Learning approach. Design a classroom layout and use teaching strategies that support students with FASD from the outset. Make sure you read Key areas to support in this guide.
I cannot change the way I was born, but you can help make my environment be a place where I can achieve success.
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Support participation and confidence
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Support processing and organisation
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Provide options for students to create, learn and share
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
Take a Universal Design for Learning approach. Design a classroom layout and use teaching strategies that support students with FASD from the outset. Make sure you read Key areas to support in this guide.
Try differently, not harder. If the strategy is not working, try another.
Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:
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Support participation and build confidence
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Support processing and organisation
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Provide options to create, learn and share
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Key resources
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Education strategies
This handbook supports teachers working with students who have FASD. It contains information to help identify students having difficulties, and strategies to support these students.
Publisher: National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome UK
What educators need to know about FASD: Working together to educate children in Manitoba with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
This guide for teachers includes a description of FASD and strategies for supporting student learning and working with parents. These strategies may be helpful for students who are not diagnosed with FASD but who share some of the same learning needs.
Publisher: Healthy Child Manitoba Office + K – 12 Education
Understanding FASD: A comprehensive guide for pre K-8 educators
An online guide designed for teachers, specialist teachers, and support staff that work with children from kindergarten to year 11. The guide addresses the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol and how it affects student learning. It provides descriptions and classroom strategies that specifically support students with FASD. The guide is available as a PDF download.
Publisher: Duke University
FASD: Strategies not solutions
Read time: 95 min
This booklet provides strategies and suggestions for considering the sensory and behaviour needs, and life skills of children and youth affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It is aimed at professionals and caregivers who already have a base understanding of FASD.
Publisher: Government of Alberta
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and complex trauma – A resource for educators
This practical education resource is designed to support schools, educators and community members to recognise, understand and work effectively in schools with students with FASD and complex trauma. While the resource has been written for
educators and school communities in Western Australia, the materials are also relevant for all school communities.
Publisher: Government of Alberta
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: FASD and learning
Understand:
- Understanding FASD
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Teach students about alcohol harm during pregnancyShow suggestions for Teach students about alcohol harm during pregnancy
Strategies for action:
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Identify needs and how to provide supportShow suggestions for Identify needs and how to provide support
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Key areas to supportShow suggestions for Key areas to support
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Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8
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Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13Show suggestions for Helpful classroom strategies years 9-13
