FASD Links, Books, Support Groups And Websites To Help You And Your Family Better Understand FASD

Your child has recently been diagnosed with FASD, now what? How do you begin to understand, much less help family, friends, teachers and others who are involved with your family, understand this complex diagnosis? 

Here is one of my favorite websites:

National Organization On Fetal Alcohol Syndrome This website will tell you pretty much anything you need to know about the basics of FASD.

FB groups are very helpful. As with most illnesses or disabilities the people who understand it best are the ones who are living with the condition.

Parenting FASD Kids and FASD Flying With Broken Wings are two of my favorite FB groups.

I also follow Jeff Noble @ Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Forever. He shares tips and quotes as well as links to valuable information.

Diane Mabin's book: Trying Differently Rather Than Harder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is invaluable. If you don't like reading and need to choose just one book, this is the one you want to read!

Our FAScintating Journey: Keys To Brain Potential Along The Path Of Prenatal Brain Injury, by Jodee Kulp is another excellent read. This book shares in depth information on how to help your child have the best brain development despite the damage that has already occurred.

I wrote a blog post on The Fatal Link, a book that shares in depth information on the why's and wherefore's of prenatal alcohol exposure. If you are like me and enjoy research, this book is for you!

Here are some blog posts I wrote on FASD:

What Is It Like To Parent A Child With FASD?

10 Tips For Caring For Someone With FASD

When Parenting Your Child With FASD Is Overwhelming

Inability To Self Regulate

World Perception - Life With FASD

The following is copied from NOFAS.

The maturity and development of people with FASD can be uneven and confusing. Strong abilities in certain areas, such as expressive language, can hide deficiencies in other areas. Caregivers are encouraged to “think younger” when assessing their child’s abilities and to look at dysmaturity as a symptom of the disease. The following chart displays the variability in maturity and ability in a single person with FASD

Skill/Characteristic                                                                            Developmental Age Equivalent

Chronological Age ————————————————————–18

Physical Maturity—————————————————————18

Developmental Level of Functioning——————–9

Daily Living Skills———————————————11

Expressive Language————————————————————————23

Receptive Language——————————–7

Artistic Ability (or other strength)—————————————————————————–29

Reading: Decoding———————————————————16

Reading Comprehension———————–6

Money and Time Concepts————————–8

This chart shows that it may be unrealistic to expect a young adult to leave the home at age 18. Perhaps additional growth and maturity may allow him or her to move out by 30. Also, parents should attempt to adjust expectations based on the developmental age displayed.

The actions of a person with FASD may be inappropriate for chronological age while still being appropriate for the developmental age. Expecting a person with FASD to correct inappropriate behavior can be frustrating for both the caregiver and the child. The following chart displays the chronological and developmental age expectations for a person with FASD. Though the chart only extends through the teen years, similar deficits exist through adulthood.

shared on Adoption Talk Link Up