Help and Hope for Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The“Invisible Disability” , part 3.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a permanent disability.  However, this does not mean that a child is doomed to a bleak future into adulthood.  It all depends on the severity of impairment that a child’s brain has sustained due to in-utero exposure to alcohol.  Some children only have mild impairment that may cause limitations in learning and problem-solving.  Many have ADHD, which can often be successfully treated with medications.  Other children with FASD who are more severely affected may not be able to accomplish tasks that require higher-level thinking and judgment, such as driving or working at a job that requires a lot of concentration. 

Despite their limitations, children diagnosed with FASD can exhibit numerous strengths.  Typically, they display good eye contact, are highly verbal, energetic and hard working.  They display a natural curiosity about life, and tend to be highly involved in any project that they enjoy.  They have a strong desire to be liked.  Generally, they are not malicious behaviorally.  They tend to be very optimistic, and have strengths at interacting with younger children. 

Along with the above, there are some important things that parents should be aware of:

• When addressing your child, take note to slow down the pace of your speech a bit, as children with FASD typically have challenges with auditory processing.

• Be aware that your child may have “time blindness” which means he/she has difficulty understanding the passage of time.

• When asking your child a question—no matter how simple—allow her extra time to respond as her brain needs more time to process your question, as well as formulate an answer.  Don’t mistake this for the child trying to avoid your question or trying to come up with a lie.

• When giving directions, remember the mantra “one step at a time.”  Giving multiple instructions at one time will only lead to frustration or even a behavioral meltdown.

• Understand that for FASD children, that their behavioral “won’t” (being oppositional, etc.) is more often a behavioral “can’t”. 

• Extensive research has shown that a diet rich in Choline (a naturally-occurring substance in the body) can enhance the brain functioning in children with FASD.  Choline-rich foods include chicken, salmon, eggs, dairy products, and green vegetables such as broccoli and brussel sprouts.  The latter two may be a challenge, but it’s worth a try!

Parents, I hope this 3-part series has been helpful—and encouraging—for you.  Along with the resources I’ve shared, I also recommend the following:

• An article by Jeff Noble titled “Why It Might Be FASD” in the Jan/Feb 2023 Issue of Fostering Families Today, pp. 50-52.

• FASDunited.org  -- the primary website for all things FASD.  Great resources for parents.

• The Emory Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic – Located on the campus of Emory University, this is a good resource for families living in Georgia.