Woodstock First Nation
FASD Mentor Page
Knowledge Is Power
EN-WE-OW-LE-TENEH
10 Turtle Lane • Woodstock First Nation, NB • E7M 3B4 • Telephone Number: 325-3570
Understanding Young/Children with FASD • Understanding School Age Children with FAS/E • A Thank You From The Mentor Program • Basic Needs of Persons Living With FAS/E
FASD Mentor Program - It takes a Community
Understanding
Young /Children with FASD
Characteristics of Young Children
From toddler through preschool, Children with FASD may be slow to develop. This may not be readily noticeable due to their young age and small stature.
Health
Severely affected children will continue to have health problems due to organ damage or being prone to infections.
Development
Delays affecting speech and vocabulary may be noticeable in the preschool years, indicating later learning disabilities. Referral to therapy and special needs preschool may counter any possible learning disability.
Late development of motor skills means children with FASD can be clumsy and accident prone for their age. They may require more intense supervision.
Learning through experience, seeing and hearing may be delayed. They rely more on touch to explore their surroundings. Hot stoves, camp-fires, electrical outlets or eating non-edible substances can be dangerous for the unsupervised child with FASD.
Preschool
Over-stimulation or changes in daily routines can lead to tantrums and destructive behaviour. A gradual introduction to preschool may ease this situation.
Interacting with other children can be a problem. Adapting to class routines can be difficult. Special needs preschool with low pupil/teacher ratios provide speech therapy and other support programs.
As the child nears school age, an assessment is needed to determine what special services should be in place to ensure a successful transition to school.
Understanding
School Age Children with FAS/E
Characteristics of Elementary School Age Children: There are physical, learning and behavioural difficulties common to most children with FAS/E. Parents, teachers and careproviders are better prepared to provide nuturing and support if they understand the nature and extents of these difficulties.
Language Development: Development of speech and language may be delayed.
Memory: Children with FAS/E may have problems mentally "retrieved."
Reasoning: The ability to understand that consequences are results of action is often impaired.
Learning Disabilities: An impaired capacity to mentally process and use information affects the child's ability to learn.
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder: A child with FAS/E may have a short attention span. They are easily distracted. Complicating this is the abundant and seemingly unending energy of the child.
Motor Skills: Children may have difficulty coordinating large muscle movements used for running or climbing and/or lack the small muscle control essential for handwriting.
Adaptive and Social Behaviour: Reasoning and learning disabilities mean that inappropriate behaviour is a constant concern.
FAS and FAS/E are Easily Prevented. Consume No Alcohol During Pregnancy.
A
"Thank you" From the Mentor Program
A special thanks to everyone that helped make our Community Breakfast a success.
Thank-you to Carole and Marg for their “Minute of Reflection”. I know they stayed up late working on it so we could enjoy it in both Maliseet and English.
Thank-you to Ethel Mcallister for help with brainstorming and grocery shopping.
Thank-you to Deedee Barlett and Andrea Polchies for cooking.
Thank-you to Jaime Polchies for helping set up and running for everything.
Thank-you to all participants in the poster contest.
Thank-you to Jaime Polchies and Wayne Paul for judging the poster contest.
Winners of the Poster Contest were the following:
5-10yrs winner – Jennifer Tomah
11-14yrs winner – Sam Grey
15-18yrs winner – Jorden Tomah
Basic
Needs of Persons living With FAS/E
The FAS/E Affected Person
- The person affected with FAS/E needs nuturing, understanding and support. A stable and home, responsive school system, supporting friends and a caring community are important aspects of nuturing the child with FAS.E.
- The person with FAS/E needs to feel that he or she is part of the community. Self-esteem and acceptance are critically important.
The Family
- Parents of children with FAS/E need connections with the community, other parents and services that provide family centred and culturally sensitive support.
- Parents may need help dealing with addictions, poverty, low self-esteem, limited work skills and parenting skills.
- Caregivers should be respectful and non-judgmental toward families living with FAS/E and acknowledge that the parents of FAS/E affected children are performing a demanding job.
- The community social safety net should meet the basic needs of family members and provide early assistance to the child's family. Families should have access to appropriate assessments and diagnoses and be empowered to contribute to all discussions about their children.
- Family members and friends need a good understanding of the FAS/E child's behaviour, limitations and potential. Knowing that behaviour can be changed for the better gives hope and is the basis for coping and growing.
FAS and FAS/E are easily Prevented. Consume No Alcohol While Pregnant