Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
What a teacher needs to know

Overview and Symptoms 

In the first trimester of pregnancy, alcohol interferes with the organization of brain cells. Weeks 3-8 of fetal development are considered to be an especially critical period for brain damage from alcohol exposure. Exposure to heavy drinking between the 10th and 20th week is most likely to cause the physical features. In the third trimester the baby's hippocampus (a small, curved formation in the brain that plays an important role in the limbic system) is affected. The limbic system is associated with a number of functions including the sense of smell, behavior, learning, long-term memory, emotions, and drives. When the limbic system is affected, it can lead to learning problems, such as difficulties with reading and math. Comprehension, money and time concepts, emotional maturity and social skills are the areas where development is typically most affected. Children are easily influenced by others and can be vulnerable to victimization. However, they are typically very verbal, and may have good long-term visual memory. Their positive characteristics need to be identified and used to build programs for their long-term skill development and behavior management.

​In recent years several studies from different countries have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure will lead to life-long consequences on physical development, intellectual development, behavior, social development, occupation, independence, sexuality or sexual behavior and increased risk of suicidality.
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Primary prevention and early intervention with general public health educational efforts seems to be the best way forward.
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Behavioral Interventions
Other Behavioral Supports

Daily Routines
First and Then Boards

Visual Instructions
Visual Schedules

Social Stories
To learn more read:

Bertrand, J. (2008). Interventions for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs): Overview of findings for five innovative research projects. Research in Developmental Disabilities,30(5), 986-1006. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2009.02.003
Bertrand, J.
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​Paley, B., & Oconnor, M. J. (2011). Predictors of Stress in Parents of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Alcohol Research & Health, 34(1), 64-75. doi:10.1097/00004703-200610000-00005

Paley, B. & O'Connor, M.
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Academic Interventions


​Literacy Interventions
​Math, Executive Functioning, and Working Memory Interventions
More information on the MILE Program: 

Kable, J. A., Taddeo, E., Strickland, D., & Coles, C. D. (2015). Community translation of the Math Interactive Learning Experience Program for children with FASD. Research in Developmental Disabilities,39, 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.12.031

Kable, J. A., Taddeo, E., Strickland, D., & Coles, C. D.
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Kerns, K. A., Macsween, J., Wekken, S. V., & Gruppuso, V. (2010). Investigating the efficacy of an attention training programme in children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation,13(6), 413-422. doi:10.3109/17518423.2010.511421
, K. A., Macsween, J., Wekken, S. V., & Gruppuso, V.
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Literature Cited
P. (2015, March 10). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZWjCch6JSM

(2016, April 30). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjTKgFsrNC0

Adnams, C. M., Sorour, P., Kalberg, W. O., Kodituwakku, P., Perold, M. D., Kotze, A., . . . May, P. A. (2007). Language and literacy outcomes from a pilot intervention study for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in South Africa. Alcohol, 41(6), 403-414. doi:10.1016/j.alcohol.2007.07.005

Bertrand, J. (2008). Interventions for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs): Overview of findings for five innovative research projects. Research in Developmental Disabilities,30(5), 986-1006. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2009.02.003

Diseases and Conditions Identified in Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN). (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/topic/diseasesconds/fetalalcohol.cfm

M. (n.d.). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Strategies and Intervention (Part 2). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://www.mnadopt.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FASD-Strategies-and-Intervention.pdf

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Research Challenges and Opportunities. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh341/4-14.htm

Fetal alcohol syndrome. (2017, May 25). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20318276

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Educational Strategies. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from http://www.psychiatry.emory.edu/PROGRAMS/GADrug/Edfas.htm

Intervention for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders has biggest impact on parents. (2017, April 27). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from http://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/intervention-for-children-with-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-has-biggest-impact-on-parents-228702/

Kable, J. A., Taddeo, E., Strickland, D., & Coles, C. D. (2015). Community translation of the Math Interactive Learning Experience Program for children with FASD. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 39, 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.12.031

Kerns, K. A., Macsween, J., Wekken, S. V., & Gruppuso, V. (2010). Investigating the efficacy of an attention training programme in children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Developmental Neurorehabilitation,13(6), 413-422. doi:10.3109/17518423.2010.511421

Merrick, J. (june, 2006). Fetal alcohol syndrome and its long-term effects. PubMed.gov, 58(3), 211-218. Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16832326

Paley, B., & Oconnor, M. J. (2011). Predictors of Stress in Parents of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Alcohol Research & Health, 34(1), 64-75. doi:10.1097/00004703-200610000-00005
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C. (2012, August 29). Students Like Me: Episode 1 of 9. Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfbztgLafPY

Warren, K. R., Hewitt, B. G., & Thomas, J. D. (n.d.). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Research Challenges and Opportunities. Alcohol Research & Health, 34(1). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh341/4-14.htm.

Welcome to Double ARC. (n.d.). Retrieved August 01, 2017, from http://www.doublearc.org/