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Sr. Mary Sartor, SND, MA Director of Education, FASD Specialist

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES To discuss brain damage as a cause of challenging behaviors To learn some strategies to support learning

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BRAIN BEHAVIOR is about the BRAIN!

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BEHAVIOR AS COMMUNICATION BRAIN BEHAVIOR

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CAUSES Injury Head trauma Genetics Toxins

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CAUSES Of all the substances of abuse, including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus. --Institute of Medicine Report to Congress (1996)

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NEW PREVALENCE RESEARCH Philip May, PhD., et. al. Interagency Coordinating Committee on FASD

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ALCOHOL => BRAIN DAMAGE May cause or contribute to many of the behavioral and functional problems seen in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure. Diffuse brain damage

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. May include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. Not a diagnostic term

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IMPACT ON THE BRAIN CNS Dysfunction Cognition Executive function Motor development Sensory integration Attention & hyperactivity Social skills

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PRIMARY DISABILITIES CNS dysfunction; brain damage Memory impairment Processing problems Poor judgment Difficulty learning from consequences Inconsistent performance Difficulty transitioning Impulsivity, distractibility, disorganization

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BEHAVIOR COMMUNICATES Reframe

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REFRAME YOUR PERCEPTIONS from WONT to CANT Child is willful Annoying Lazy, unmotivated Telling lies Acting younger Attention getting Fussy Child cant Frustrated Tired of failing Fills in the blanks Being younger Needs support Sensitive to light, sound, touch SHIFT

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CHANGE YOUR APPROACH From trying harder Stopping behavior Behavior modification Change the child To trying differently Preventing problems Visual clues & support Change environment & responding differently SHIFT

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KEY QUESTIONS BEHAVIOR THAT APPEARS DEFIANT IS IT caused by An environmental factor? The way the information was presented? The way the information was processed? Memory problems? Developmental stage? Language / communication problem? Not given enough time?

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SO Change the environment to prevent, eliminate or change behavioral symptoms. Be proactive.

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MOTTO INSTEAD OF TRYING HARDER, TRY DIFFERENTLY Dianne Malbin, MSW

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GENERAL STRATEGIES Role-playing Direct teaching Multi-sensory approach Provide visuals Eight magic keys KISSS when giving directions Keep it short, specific, simple Choice (1:2) Group activity with supervision

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8 MAGIC KEYS ConcreteConsistency RepetitionRoutine SimplicitySpecific StructureSupervision Evenson, D. & Lutke, J. (1997) Eight magic keys: developing successful interventions for students with fas. Fasalaska Project FACTS. www.fasalaska.com.

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MASTER KEY Does my teacher like me?

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EVERY CHILD NEEDS A CHAMPION!

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BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Memory problems Structure Routine Posted agenda Visual cues 1 direction at a time Repetition Lists & cue cards Re-teach

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BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Processing Deficits Get childs attention Speak slower & use short sentences Avoid talking so much Give extra time Simple Repetition Multi-sensory Use visual cues with oral

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BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Language deficits Explain idioms Avoid sarcasm Slow pace Be concrete Use visual supports Check for understanding Use comic strips Wordless picture books

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BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Attention Issues Define space Preferential seating Show me Use childs name

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BEHAVIORS & INTERVENTIONS Difficulty with Transitions 5 or 10 minute warnings Visual timers/clocks Distraction Agenda with times posted

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BEHAVIORS AND INTERVENTIONS Inability to transfer/generalize and apply knowledge Role play situations and rules Connect consequence to cause as soon as possible Create lists, charts

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TYPICAL STRENGTHS OF PERSONS WITH AN FASD Friendly and cheerful Likable Desire to be liked Helpful Verbal Determined Have points of insight Hard working Every day is a new day!

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RESOURCES WEB doublearc.org cdc.gov/ncbddd fasdcenter.samhsa.gov notasingledrop.mh.state.oh.us/ fasdelephant.com/podcast/ education.alberta.ca/admin/special/resource s/fasd.aspx nofas.org do2learn.com fasalaska.com

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SUMMARY What struck you? What are you going to do differently to help your students succeed?

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RESOURCES Double ARC / NOFAS Ohio Sr. Mary Sartor 419.724.1354 Director of Education; FASD Specialist Sr. Suzette Fisher 419.724.1353 Director of Client Services; FASD Specialist www.doublearc.org 3837 Secor Road Toledo, Ohio 43623

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