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Date
17 November 2024
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-and-learning
11458 [FASD-002.JPG]

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and learning
- Updated

Targeted strategies for teachers to meet the multi-faceted needs of students living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

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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.

Source: Fetal Alcohol Network NZ (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Fetal Alcohol Network NZ
http://ahw.org.nz/resources/Fannz%20documents/Hey%20Teacher.pdf

Summary of important concepts:

Understanding FASD

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.

One suggestion for implementing this strategy:

  1. The New Zealand Curriculum

    Includes:

    • Resources

Strategies for action

Four targeted strategies to meet the multi-faceted needs of students living with FASD.

Show material for:

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.

Video hosted on Youtube http://youtu.be/67aHbIAXvYY

Dan Dubovsky talks about the importance of looking for and utilising the incredible strengths our students with FASD possess.

Source: POPFASD (Canada) (opens in a new tab/window)

No captions or transcript

Source:
POPFASD (Canada)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWRoE1YnO371Fc_hWx6Pnhg

Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. Build whanaungatanga

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. Work as a team

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  3. Gather information to inform practice

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  4. Access support

    Includes:

    • Resources

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.

Source: Understanding and addressing the needs of children and young people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A resource for teachers (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Understanding and addressing the needs of children and young people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A resource for teachers
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1613/1919/files/FASD_2nd_Ed-2018.pdf?17909097525429957987

Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:

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.

Source: Fetal Alcohol Network NZ (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Fetal Alcohol Network NZ
http://ahw.org.nz/Portals/5/Resources/Fannz%20documents/Hey%20Teacher.pdf

Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. ​Create structure

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. ​Support participation and confidence

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  3. Support understanding

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  4. Support processing and organisation

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  5. Provide options for students to create, learn and share

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  6. Manage successful transitions

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

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.

Source: FASD strategies not solutions, Edmonton and Area Fetal Alcohol Network (PDF) (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
FASD strategies not solutions, Edmonton and Area Fetal Alcohol Network (PDF)
https://edmontonfetalalcoholnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/strategies_not_solutions_handbook.pdf

Six suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Key resources

Website

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

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

Website

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

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

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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Parents, whānau, and communities​​

​Involve parents, families, whānau, and communities in the learning of their children and young people. Read four strategies

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How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: FASD and learning

Understand:

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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This information was downloaded/printed from the Ministry of Education's website "Inclusive Education". Except where otherwise noted it is Crown Copyright 2018.

Information on the Inclusive Education website is regularly updated so we recommend you check the website version of this information to ensure it remains current.