Understanding FASD: Unlocking Your Child’s Potential at Home and School
Research-Based Supports and Services
When it comes to supporting a child with FASD, research shows that traditional discipline usually misses the mark. Things like point charts, time-outs, or taking away recess often fail because they rely on the very skills: memory and impulse control: that the child is struggling with. Instead of trying to “fix” or change the child, the most effective interventions focus on changing the environment.
The 8 Keys to Support
To create a successful environment, we often look to the “8 Keys,” which provide a framework for stability:
- Concrete language: Avoid metaphors or sarcasm; say exactly what you mean.
- Consistency: Keep expectations the same across all settings.
- Repetition: Be prepared to teach the same skill many, many times.
- Routine: A predictable day reduces anxiety.
- Simplicity: Keep directions short and sweet.
- Specific instructions: Instead of “clean your room,” try “put your shoes in the closet.”
- Structure: Provide a clear framework for what comes next.
- Supervision: Many kids need a higher level of “checking in” to stay safe and on track.
Becoming the “External Brain”
Because internal regulation and organization are so difficult for these kids, caregivers and teachers often need to act as the child’s “External Brain.” This means providing visual schedules, timers, and reminders that the child can see and touch. It also means maintaining a calming presence to help coregulate their emotions when the world gets too loud or confusing.
Targeted Therapies
There are also specific programs that have shown great success for the FASD community:
- The Alert Program: This uses a “car engine” analogy to help kids understand their own levels of arousal (is my engine running too fast, too slow, or just right?) and gives them tools to self-regulate.
- MILE (Math Interactive Learning Experience): A specialized approach to math tutoring that accounts for the specific way FASD affects numerical reasoning.
- Social Skills Training: Explicitly teaching social cues that other children might pick up naturally.
Moving Forward with Hope
Every child with FASD has a unique constellation of talents. We often see kids who are incredibly creative, deeply loving, helpful, and remarkably determined. They are “can-do” kids who just happen to have a “can’t-do” brain in certain areas. With early identification and an environment tailored to how their brain works, these children don’t just get by: they truly thrive.
If you suspect your child might be struggling with challenges related to FASD, or if you’ve been searching for answers that traditional evaluations haven’t provided, we are here to help. Discovering your child’s neurocognitive profile is the first step in helping them reach their fullest potential.
