Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD / FAS)

FASD

Umbrella term for lifelong conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. FAS is the most severe form.

FAS facial features

Smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, and short palpebral fissures (small eye openings).

Other FAS features

Growth deficiency and central nervous system problems, such as small head size and brain differences.

Permanent condition

Brain damage cannot be cured. Interventions focus on strategies, supports, and environmental changes.

Executive function deficits

Impulsivity, poor judgment, poor planning, and difficulty with cause and effect.

Learning and memory

Trouble generalizing skills, learning from consequences, and remembering instructions.

Social challenges

Difficulty reading social cues, understanding boundaries, and making friends. Vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

Visual schedules and routines

Support transitions and reduce anxiety.

Teaching approach

Teach skills in the real setting where they will be used, because generalizing is hard.

Social skills training

Explicit teaching, role-play, and practice rather than expecting the child to infer.