Teachers can be great allies in keeping your child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder safe and successful in school, but you'll need to make sure they have all the knowledge they need to help. Use these suggestions to create a information packet to bring educators up to speed.
Five Things Teachers Need to Know
1. My child's emotional level lags far behind his chronological development. Do not expect him to act his age.
2. Because she has a loose grip on fantasy vs. reality, my child may tell made-up stories about things that happen in our family. Please consult me if you have concerns.
3. My child may know a rule and want to follow it, but be unable to access that information when he has an impulse to act. His apologies are genuine. He doesn't know why he did it.
4. My child reacts very badly to stress. Consequences that increase her stress level will only make her behavior worse.
5. Please keep the lines of communication open between our home and the school. My child needs all the adults in her life working together.
Printouts to Share with Teachers
Eight Magic Keys: Developing Successful Interventions for Students with FAS
Source: FASSTAR
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Educational Strategies
Source: Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Teaching Students with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects
Source: Government of British Columbia Ministry of Education
Tapping Hidden Strengths: Planning for Students Who Are Alcohol-Affected
Source: Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth
Behavior Management Plan for a Student with FASD
Source: Mothers with Attitude
