The right educational environment for children with FASD
We, the biological parents, adoptive parents, and foster parents of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, would like our children to receive an education in an environment that meets their specific and unique needs.
Our children have a common set of characteristics which makes it difficult for them to learn. These include the following:
¨ Difficulty understanding consequences for their behaviour
¨ Difficulty following multi-step directions and tasks
¨ Difficulty with distractions
¨ Difficulty with abstract concepts
¨ Difficulty with socialization skills
Accordingly, they need an educational environment which offers:
¨ Greater supervision
¨ Simple directions given clearly and slowly
¨ A structured consistent environment throughout the day
¨ A neutral, distraction-free environment and calming techiques
¨ Constant repetition in their learning
¨ Concrete learning tasks, set in a context and retaught for new situations
¨ Assistance in maintaining personal space and interacting with others.
(these items have been summarized from an article on the Right Program in Winnipeg)
A program specifically geared to our children will give them a safe environment which matches their ability to learn, provide valuable life skills, and celebrate their strengths and talents. In the long run, we hope to decrease the frustration which they experience in a regular classroom setting, reduce the number of secondary disabilities (i.e., substance abuse, delinquency, unwanted pregnancy), and provide them with a broader and better range of options for their lives after schooling is complete.
Such a program would also have classrooms which are adapted for the special needs of children with FASD and sensory integration issues. See some photos of an adapted classroom
Interested in making such a program a reality in Edmonton? Read our School Options in Edmonton article and send us a comment...
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