This fact sheet from Kennedy Krieger Institute offers suggestions of trauma-sensitive practices and procedures for preparing for and holding Individual Educational Program (IEP) meetings. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students who access special education services have a documented IEP.
A Chapter from Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A Comprehensive Guide for Pre-K-8 Educators by RISE at Duke University.
This guide is designed for every educator (e.g., teachers, special education teachers, resource specialists, speech and language specialists, school nurses, psychologists, and occupational therapists) who works with K-8 elementary and middle school level students. The guide addresses the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol and how it affects the K-8 grade student. Many educators believe they do not have students in their classes who have FASD, and they may even wonder why this guide would be useful in their own teaching and classroom management. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States. Despite health warnings, 20% of women drink alcohol while knowing they are pregnant. Therefore, it is not surprising that there is a high incidence of children (2-5%) in the United States with FASD and they are likely present in every classroom.
This Special Article outlines clinical implications and guidelines for pediatric medical home clinicians to identify, diagnose, and refer children regarding neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal exposure. Emphasis is given to reported or observable behaviors that can be identified as part of care in pediatric medical homes, differential diagnosis, and potential comorbidities. In addition, brief guidance is provided on the management of affected children in the pediatric medical home. Finally, suggestions are given for obtaining prenatal history of in utero exposure to alcohol for the pediatric patient.
The Tools for Success Curriculum: Working With Youth With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the Juvenile Justice System (also called Tools for Success) curriculum was developed as a joint project of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence and the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS). It is designed to help professionals in the juvenile justice system recognize and address FASD.
Tools for Success Curriculum: Working with Youth with FASD in the Juvenile Justice System training manual from US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2007
The purposes of this paper are to increase understanding of the connection between serious emotional disturbances and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and to raise awareness of the unique diagnostic challenges and treatment needs of children who have FASD and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. (The term co-occurring disorder describes the presence of a psychiatric disorder and a disorder such as FASD that is related to substance use.) Robust studies of evidence-based interventions for this population are lacking. The main goal of this paper is to highlight both the lack of such studies and the pressing need for specialized interventions that can help address the challenges faced by children with psychiatric disorders within the FASD population.
The Improving Awareness and Treatment of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Disorders report is provided by Disability Service Center, JBS International
Video resources on FASD for teachers and families from Oregon Behavior Consultation.
Featured presenter Nate Sheets, a behavior consultant and parent coach with over 12 years of experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities. He specializes in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), trauma, and cognitive skills, hosts a website Cognitive Supports with additional resources.