Book by Diane Davis; 192 pages. Subtitle: A Handbook for Teachers, Counselors, and Parents Who Work With Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects.
Some books have lots of theory and research and very few practical suggestions to actually act on. This book is all about the practical. Filled with checklists, samples, and activities, it’s a good companion to FAS/FAE books that tell you why but not how. It’s helpful for anyone who deals with an affected child on a daily basis.
- Full of practical, do-able suggestions.
- Gives nice overview of issues involved with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
- Takes positive approach to behavior.
- Organization makes it easy to find parts you want to share with professionals.
- Has good ideas to share with teachers.
- Teachers aren't always receptive to suggestions from parents.
- Can be discouraging when good ideas don't work with your particular kid.
- Adoptive and foster parents may want to skip material on alcoholism.
- Sections for professionals on dealing with parents may make for uncomfortable reading.
- Space given to articles in back of book would have been better used for more practical suggestions.
- Chapter One: Diagnosis and Prognosis
- Chapter Two: Confronting the Cause: Alcoholism
- Chapter Three: Parenting a Child with FAS/FAE
- Chapter Four: Teaching the Child with FAS/FAE
- Chapter Five: Techniques for Helping Children through Adults
- Chapter Six: The Needs of Older Children with FAS/FAE
- Chapter Seven: For Parents and Counselors with Adolescents and Adults with FAS/FAE
- Articles and Other Resources
There has been an increase in awareness and understanding in recent years of the challenges faced by children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, formely known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects. With their tendency to impulsive behavior, poor cause-and-effect thinking, emotional immaturity, and inability to handle stress, they can be uniquely resistant to traditional discipline and ordinary parenting or teaching techniques. Yet they can also be sweet, charming, engaging and loveable critters. They benefit from structure, routine, self-contained classrooms, stable home lives, reasonable expectations, positive discipline, and 24-hour supervision. They also benefit from the creative ideas and exercises that fill this book. Their caregivers will, too.
From sample IEPs and behavior contracts to stress-relieving exercises and communication games, this book is filled with calm, positive, rational plans for working with children with FAS/FAE. Illustrate conflict resolution with a plastic hamburger. Visualize an “on-off switch” to work on impulse control. Portray negative self-talk as an ugly green puppet. Have kids smack a crib mattress instead of a classmate, tear paper to release anger, blow up balloons to expend energy. By turning abstract feelings and impulses into concrete activities, these exercises help children with FAS/FAE deal with their emotions and give their caregivers something easy and effective to do to help.
