Providing Support for Students with FASD in Schools

Post author By URated Digital Marketing
Post date February 10, 2023

Providing Support for Students with FASD in Schools

Education and FASD
Humans have a right to an education. Everyone deserves access to comprehensive, egalitarian education. However, when their requirements are not met, kids with FASD frequently fail to succeed in the classroom.

It’s crucial to have a positive educational experience. The school system is where the majority of diagnosis, support, and interventions are provided. Lack of support at school puts students with FASD at a higher risk of developing long-term problems with their mental health, getting into trouble with the law, and using drugs.

Teaching Techniques for FASD Students
People with FASD might have a wide range of advantages and disadvantages, which can affect how they learn. To better accommodate students with FASD, teachers might make minor changes to their lesson plans, such as:

Instruction that is differentiated; Visual and verbal signals, aids, and demonstrations;
repetition and slower training; practical exercises and real-world examples;
information compression, task division, and lesson size reduction.
An all-school strategy
Outside of the classroom, pupils should receive support. Teachers, school officials, educational assistants, outside agencies, and caregivers must all work together to provide support for students with FASD. The school community as a whole should be dedicated to ongoing education, awareness, and support.

Continued Education
Teachers are less prone to burnout and get tired if they have a solid understanding of FASD. However, despite their desire to offer their kids better support, teachers and educational assistants frequently lack the in-depth information, training, and resources necessary to support students with FASD.

All school personnel can benefit from better knowledge and training by taking our online FASD for School Staff course, which is a fantastic place to start. This learning program addresses planning for transitional periods, using specific math and literacy skills, and fostering collaboration with caregivers in addition to going in-depth on teaching strategies and employing a whole school approach. Click here to read more about our online courses!

We can support an inclusive education system by working together and cooperating.

Tags fasd education, fasd meaning

FASD Okanagan Valley Assessment and Support Society is focused on increasing resilience and reducing harm through knowledge, relational, and community support and carrying out FASD assessment.

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Bernadette Letter

With the help and shared vision from Laura Hockman, ED of Independent Living Vernon, and her staff; the only adult assessment clinic in BC opened.

While being in the clinic, there are many accomplishments I am so very proud of. One that I cherish the most was having Dr. Densmore agree to be our lead assessment physician. He not only provided leadership and training for all of the staff, patients, and their families; his incredible regard was demonstrated in the relationship-building he approached each patient with. His tenacity and curiosity resulted in reports that were more than meaningful, they were life-saving, life-altering, and resulted in lives being changed for the long term. Dr. Densmore invested significant hours researching, writing, and driving to locations across the province to complete assessments often on his time. His infectious curiosity and passion to understand FASD changed the lives of all he worked with, including me.

Another accomplishment was building the assessment team: Dr. Kim McGuire PH.D. Neuro-psych and Anne Ross OT and Ashley Reina OT. They provided their expertise and were always available for patients. With their expertise, I am so very proud and thankful that our team facilitated changes in the life trajectory of all those diagnosed.

I am proud of the many ways we supported patients to resolve crises in their lives in 1:1 interactions or through groups. These groups empowered hundreds of participants, even through covid, from across the province to understand their FASD, learn life skills, self-advocacy, and experience a sense of belonging. Some participants have attended groups every week for the last 7 years. That gives me peace.

I am so proud of delivering our FASD workshops and FASD three-day conferences: e.g. “Blown in the Wind”. We had participants from Quebec attend with lead speakers such as Jennifer Charlesworth and Joe Roberts. Over the seven years, well over 3000 people participated in the community-based, national, and international workshops we inspired.

I am proud to be recognized as a professional, educational organization. We hosted over 20 practicum students from UBCO, and the Okanagan College. The students left their legacy by creating: resources now used in Primary Care offices, Dentist offices, and a curriculum for students in grades 8 -11 on Shame, Stigma, and FASD Prevention. This was posted on the POPFASD BC Website for international access. Presently, we host a student skilled to deliver art therapy for our population.
Earning the respect and support of the Canada FASD Research Council (CanFASD) was truly a highlight. Having our clinic being a part of the research, and a part of the solution is the ultimate in success.

I am so proud of the community support base we built across the province. Working alongside the Okanagan Indian Band and supporting the delivery of Welbriety by Mike Ochoa. The Splatsin Indigenous Community and elders provided me with fellowship and mutual regard as we honored those with FASD and their mothers.

The accomplishment that I hold closest to my heart is the education and hope I provided. Working with caring, genuine people who believed in me and trusted me. I am proud of the friendships made and my commitment to bringing change in social justice. I fought the good fight and am proud that I always was true to my purpose: focusing on increasing resilience and reducing harm through knowledge, relationships, and accessing community support.