My Child will Face Challenges. But with Support...
WE CAN THRIVE!My job is not easy.
Age 2-5:•Problemslearningandunderstandinglanguage•Childrenareeasilyoverstimulated•Struggleswithtransitionsandactivitychanges•Hyperactivity•Oppositionalbehaviours•Difficultiesinlearningthroughconsequences
Age 5-10:•Strugglesinschoolduetoinattention,hyperactivity,languagedifficultiesandoppositionalbehaviours
•Difficultiesinplanningandfollowingroutines
•Majorsleepproblems
•Sensoryissuesandenvironmentalsensitivities
Age 10-15:•ChildrenwithFASDareeasilyinfluencedbypeers•Behaviourissuescanescalateandmayincludetheft,lyingandviolence
•Struggleswithabstractconceptslikemoneyandtime
•Lackofempathyandsignificantsocialdifficulties•Underdevelopedemotionregulationskills
Age 15-20:•Sexualhealth,drugsandalcoholuseareriskareas
•Continuedstruggleswithimpulsecontrol,planningandunderstandingabstractconcepts(mathetc.)
•Oppositionalbehavioursandpossibleviolence
•Depressionandotherdisordersmayappear
•Reachlegaladulthood–developmentallyimmature
•Establishregularroutineswithextraattentiontoactivitytransitions
•Provideextraopportunitiesforlanguagelearning
•Learntheearlysignsofoverstimulationandbehaviourissues
•Exercisepatienceandconsistency
•Developalearningplanwithmychild’sschoolandteacher
•Provideaconsistent,predictableroutine
•Modifymychild’senvironmenttoreducesensorystresses
•Addresschallengingbehavioursimmediatelyastheydevelop
•Monitorbehaviourandfriendsclosely
•Seekprofessionalhelpformajorbehaviourissues
•Createaplanwithmychildtoaddressemotionalepisodes
•Teachmychildaboutsocialsituationswithmanycuesandreminders
•Proactivelytalkaboutmajorissueslikesex,drugsandalcoholuse
•Gethelpimmediatelyforextremebehavioursorpsychologicalsymptoms
•Planformychild’sadulthood,trusteeship&guardianship
•Talkaboutmychild’sgoalsanddreams
SPECIALISTS Ineedaccesstospecialiststhatcanhelpwithdevelopmentaldelays.
DISABILITY FUNDINGIneedaccesstoadditionalfundingtosupportmychild’slife-longneeds.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTIneedaschoolwithfundingtoprovidemychildwithindividualizededucationalsupports.
TRAININGIneedtrainingonmeetingchallenges,caringformyselfandhelpingmychildsucceed.
BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT Ineedaccesstospecialiststhatcanadvisemeondealingwithdifficultbehaviours.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMSIneedcommunityprogramsthatgivemychildachancetobesocialandsuccessful.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALSIneedmedicalprofessionalsthatunderstandthechallengesofFASD.
INFORMATION AND PLANNINGIneedinformationonwhatoptionsexistformychildinadulthood.
The CHallenges The Support I need My Caregiving JOb
I AM A CAREGIVER!FOR A PERSON WITH FASD
Age 0-2:•Sensoryintegrationissuesincludingaversiontotouch,lightandsoundarecommon
•Failuretothriveduetofeedingdifficulties•Significantdifficultiesinemotionalregulation•Sleepingpatternsmaybedisrupted•Majordevelopmentalmilestonesaremissed
•Fosterhealthyattachmentthroughresponsivecaregiving
•Learnmychild'slikesanddislikes
•Provideacontrolledandstableenvironmentformychild
•Seekearlyinterventionandoccupationaltherapyprograms
RESPITE IneedaccesstorespiteservicessoIcanrestoremyownemotionalreserves.
EARLY INTERVENTIONIneedaccesstoearlyinterventiontohelpmemaximizemychild’sskilldevelopment.
Adulthood and Beyond:•Adultsoftenappearmorecompetentthantheyare•Difficultyholdingemployment•Involvementwiththelegalsystem•Unintendedpregnancyandparenthood•Continuedrisky/impulsivebehaviours•Addictions
•Continuetoprovidesupportwithdailylivingactivities
•Ensureasafeandsupportivelivingenvironment
•HelpothersunderstandthatwhilethepersonIcareformaylookmature,theyhavealife-longdisabilityandfacemanychallenges
LEGAL HELP Ineedaccesstolegaladvicerelatedtolifespanplanningandanylegalsystemproblems.
FINANCIAL RESOURCESIneedtoknowthatthepersonIhavecaredforwillhaveongoingfinancialsupport.
ThisdocumentisintendedtosupportcaregiverswithsomeofthechallengesidentifiedthroughabroadliteraturereviewondevelopmentalissuesandFASD.Thisdescriptionofchallengesmaynotapplytoallchildren.Youandyourchild’scareteamarebestinformedaboutyourchild’sstrengthsandsupportrequirements.Pleasecontactprofessionalsupportsfortheindividualyouarecaringforifyouhaveconcerns.Whilechallengeswithinthisdocumentareidentified,supportsforcaregiversareframedwithinastrengths-basedperspective.ThisdocumentisproducedbytheEducationandTrainingCouncilofAlberta(2016).
ContactDorothyBadry|[email protected]
