Often times individuals with FASD do not display the physical features associated with FASD. Their appearance does not give any hint of the neurological problems that are hidden. Individuals with invisible handicaps are: easy to forget about their limitations easy to not provide compassion, understanding and forgiveness Children and adults with FASD need incredible amounts of: consistency reinforcement creativity time compassion understanding perseverance forgiveness repetition The more dysfunctional – the more of EVERYTHING
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It is easy for us to to fail to recognize and respect the struggle and courage it takes for someone with FASD to make it through the day! We must remember: that irreversible brain damage occurred before birth FASD individuals will not “will power” their way out of it caregivers cannot “love” their way out of it children with FASD are difficult to rear and teach BUT IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE
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Brain damage in utero lasts a lifetime! The resulting disabilities can severely impair the quality of life for the child, for the family and for society. LIFE IMPLICATIONS easily victimized unfocused, distractible money management problems doesn’t learn from mistakes doesn’t understand consequences fails to perceive social cues quick to anger difficult relationships lack initative drops out of school susceptible to drug & alcohol abuse become “ineffective” parents unemployment homeless trouble with the law mental health [...]
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Behaviour problems with individuals with FASD are a major concern for parents and schools: learning disabilities – academic – ADD / ADHD – speech and language – information processing – patterning problems poor impulse control inability to relate behaviour to consequences no sense of connection to societal rules poor short term memory inconsistent knowledge base poor personal boundaries confusion under pressure difficulty grasping abstract concepts inability to manage his/her anger inability to manage other’s anger [...]
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Children with FASD can show several signs of central nervous system dysfunction including: microcephaly (small head) altered muscle tone poor fine and gross motor coordination hyperactivity attention / memory problems learning disabilities language and speech problems mental retardation irritability weak sucking response As the children get older, behaviour problems frequently become significant: failure to consider consequences of actions lack of appropriate iniative unresponsive to subtle social cues lack of reciprocal friendships
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