The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders as a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank during pregnancy. The effects of the fetal alcohol disorders includes many learning challenges including hyperactivity, poor attention span, memory issues, coordination challenges, anxiety, speech and language delays, problem-solving issues, difficulty staying on task, behavioral challenges and social interaction.
Some children with FASD have co-occurring disorders or are often mis-diagnosed.
The following are the most common disorders:
- Oppositional Defiant Disorders (ODD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive/Inattentive Disorder (ADHD)
- Learning Disabilities
- Speech and language delays
- Anti-Social Personality Disorder
The following are Accommodations that will help students succeed:
- Use a multi-sensory approach to learning
- Allow extra time for testing assessments
- Chunk the test into parts
- Reduce distractions by using preferential seating
- Allow the student to take breaks
- Use oral test
- Provide oral instructions
- Use a checklist for the student to use
- Allow the student to use a timer
- Use repetition
- Check in with the students for understanding and provide feedback
- Teach calming strategies
- Use assistive technology
- Use social stories
- Teach social skills