Fetal Alcohol SyndromeBy: Erica Addoh

Scenario # 9

Simon and his brother Thomas (3year old twins) have recently been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The boys’ foster parents have moved into the Toronto area from North Bay and are in the process of adopting the twins. They confide in you (an ECE in the junior preschool room) that they are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the diagnosis and the move to the big city. Both boys show signs of cognitive delay and have difficulty with impulse control. The parents ask your advice on services in the Toronto area.

The needs of the children and families

• Preparation of living• Early Intervention Services• Protective Factors• Behavior and Education Therapy• Parent Training

The child with special needs … Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is an inborn syndrome caused by excessive consumption of alcohol by the mother during pregnancy, characterized by retardation of both...

Types of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)• Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

The Signs and Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

FAS refer to the whole range of effects that can happen to a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These conditions can affect each person in different ways, and can range from mild to severe.

Facts about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. Often, a person with an FAS has a mix of these problems.

Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

To diagnose FAS, doctors look for:

• Abnormal facial features (e.g., smooth ridge between nose and upper lip)

• Lower-than-average height, weight, or both• Central nervous system problems (e.g., small head size,

problems with attention and hyperactivity, poor coordination)• Prenatal alcohol exposure; although confirmation is not required

to make a diagnosis

Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Many types of treatments are available for people with FAS. They can generally be broken down into four categories:

• Medical Care• Medication• Behavior and Education Therapy• Alternative Approaches

Agency for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

FASD ONE Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Ontario Network of ExpertiseSupports:

Diagnostic Clinics in the Toronto area

Mothercraft (Breaking the Cycle) FASD Diagnostic Clinic

Website: www.mothercraft.ca

Support Groups :

FASworld Family FASD Support Group

Location: Toronto

Contact: ogrady@pathcom.com

Agency for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

FASD ONE Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Ontario Network of Expertise

http://www.fasdontario.ca/cms/resources/diagnostic-clinicsFASD Ontario Network of Expertise (FASD ONE) is a group that works together to address issues related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the province. Membership includes experts and specialists in research, health promotion, diagnosis, justice services, community and policy development, and service delivery as well as family members who have intimate knowledge of the practical needs of individuals with this disability. Group members have been working together for a number of years but have formalized the collaborative approach in 2005.

Agencies for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Brochure

Strategies for the special needs children of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome…

• Observer the child’s areas of strengths and weaknesses.• Use positive feedback, frequent reminders and provide

additional time for completion of work with appropriate supports to ease the frustration level.

• Provide appropriate materials for the child depending on the level or type of their disorder

• Allow the child to work in a group setting

ReflectionIt is so disturbing to know that there are some women that will intake alcohol during their pregnancy. I know that there are some people in this world that go through a lot in life and have ways of soothing their pain, but to allow a innocent child to suffer as he/she struggles to develop is heartless, especially if it can be prevented.

As I did my reach on fetal alcohol syndrome I was glade to find out that there is so much help here in Toronto to meet these special children’s disabilities, needs and behavior. The sad thing is that fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented, but is not as long as an expected mother continues drinking and not following a healthy diet, a child will be a victim of fetal alcohol syndrome. My weakness when doing this assignment is doing the research on a right agency for Simon and Thomas and adopted parents. I wanted to make sure that the agency provides everything they need to help them with their children and have the proper parenting training to understand the children’s development and needs.

I enjoyed this course on special needs children and learned a lot about different way to approach, understand and teach a child, also the different types of disabilities and the children’s different levels of development.

BibliographyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 19 Aug. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

"Diagnostic Clinics | FASD ONE." Diagnostic Clinics | FASD ONE. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.

"Facts about FASDs." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Sept. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2013.

"FASworld | "Building Awareness, One Ripple at a Time..."" FASworld Home Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.

"Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder." ConnectABILITY Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.

Thank You.