Looking for School Options for your loved one with FASD? [Edmonton]

Are you wondering where your child or other loved one with FASD will go to school?

In Edmonton, there are various pre-school options available.  Our son and daughter with FASD, for example, have been in an excellent pre-school program which is specifically set up for children with FASD, ADHD and sensory integration issues.  However, this program does not continue into grade one.

We hear that there are also some options for junior high. (We will add posts giving more information on these options as we get specific information).  But what happens in the elementary years?  In Sturgeon County, there are specialized programs for children with FASD.  Here in Edmonton, the choices we were given for our son was either to be integrated into a regular classroom, or to be in a behavioral class.  Neither of these are appropriate options for him, as he would be quickly overwhelmed in either situation.  It is difficult for children with permanent brain damage to be integrated into a regular classroom (Read a brief article on what works best for FASD children and schooling).

Not too long ago, parents of autistic children advocated for their children to have a separate school program that met the specific needs of children with autism.  They now have a school where children with autism are taught separately and have their needs met appropriately. We are hoping the same will happen for children with FASD, but in order to do so, parents need to work together and approach the school boards.

We are interested in networking with parents who want better education options for children with FASD.

If such options are of interest to you, please let us know!   Go to the bottom of this page to post a comment (or click on the small "Comments" link just below this post, if you are on a page with many posts on it).

Please provide your name, phone number and/or email address. Please feel free to list any positive or frustrating school experiences in the comments.

We will not post your # or email address on the web, but will keep them on a separate list of people who are interested in better options so that we can keep you informed of developments, email you about meetings, etc.

Thanks!

Comments

[Wendy B.]

My daughter is now in Grade 8 in St. Albert. Although the school is getting extra funding for her 'special need', she doesn't seem to be getting the extra help she is entitled to. The teachers at this level seem to be from the 'old school' and don't believe in modifying her program. I get frustrated with them, then with my daughter. When I bring up switching her to a special program, she balks the idea. She doesn't want to feel different from everyone else. Do I now wait until High School to see what options are there for us? Will it be too late then?

[Darlene callioux]

Where is there education or programs for FASD at the age of 21 years old?

Darlene

[Hi Darlene: We do not know of any programs like that. Have you tried the local school board's adult education department? There are also some organizations which provide training for people with FASD, which may include upgrading one's education. Try the Employment / Vocational Training link and the Lifeskills link in the left-side menu.
Rob]

[Hali]

I live on the southside of Edmonton and am raising my FASD grandson. Through Early Intervention Program I was able to find four easily accessible school sites (three part of Edmonton Public, one private - Elves). We toured and interviewed them all in January of this year and have decided on the private option as they appear to be the only site that honestly understood FASD and were set up appropriately.

[Hi Hali: Thanks for your comment. Two of our children took part in the Elves' Saturday respite program, and we found it to be exceptional!]