Living with FASD

Strategies for Daily Living

FAS/FASD through the Lifespan
FAS/FASD has lifelong implications. There is a broad range of characteristics to watch for at different ages.

• Infants: low birth weight; irritability; sensitivity to light, noises and touch; poor sucking; slow development; poor sleep-wake cycles; increased ear infections.
• Toddlers: poor memory capability, hyperactivity, lack of fear, no sense of boundaries and a need for excessive physical contact.
• Grade-school years: short attention span, poor coordination and difficulty with both fine and gross motor skills.
• Older children: trouble keeping up with school, low self-esteem from recognizing that they are different from their peers.
• Teenagers: poor impulse control, cannot distinguish between public and private behaviors, must be reminded of concepts on a daily basis.
• Adults: need to deal with many daily obstacles, such as affordable and appropriate housing, transportation, employment and money handling.

Strategies for Living
Establish a relationship with a pediatrician and consult him or her with any problems or questions. Here are some other helpful tips—

For Infants:

• Poor sleep-wake cycles/irritability: Play soft music and sing to your baby. Rocking, frequent holding, low lights, automatic swings and wrapping them snugly in a soft blanket also can be helpful.
• Poor weight gain: Consult a nutritionist to develop a food plan or discuss supplement use.
• Chronic ear infections: Speak to a specialist about evaluating your child’s hearing and effectively treating infections.
• Delays in rolling over, crawling, walking: See an occupational therapist for assistance. Also help your baby in crawling, grabbing and pulling.
• Speech delays: Consult a speech therapist and purchase tapes or toys that are specifically designed for children with delays. Speak and read aloud expressively to your baby.

Toddlers:

• Continued motor skill delays: Work with an occupational or physical therapist. Use toys that focus on manipulating joints and muscles.
• Distracted easily: Establish a routine and use structure. Simplify rooms in the home and reduce noises or other stimulation.
• Dental problems: Consult a pediatric dentist. Your child may not be able to sit still, so be sure to prepare your child for the exam and allow more time for the appointment.
• Small appetites or sensitivity to food texture: Serve small portions that are lukewarm or cool and have some texture. Allow plenty of time during meals and decrease distractions such as television, radio or multiple conversations.

School age:

• Bedtime: If your child cannot sleep at night, shorten naps or cut them out completely.
• Making and keeping friends: Pair your child with another who is one or two years younger. Provide activities that are short and fun.
• Boundary issues: Create a stable, structured home with clear routines and plenty of repetition.
• Attention problems: Medication may be helpful. Keep the child’s environment as simple as possible, and structure time with brief activities.
• Easily frustrated/tantrums: Remove your child from the situation and use calming techniques such as sitting in a rocker, giving a warm bath or playing quiet music.
• Difficulty understanding cause and effect: Repetition, consistency and clear consequences for behavior are important.

Adolescence:

• Anxiety and depression: Medication may be helpful, as well as counseling or encouraging your child to participate in sports, clubs or other structured activities.
• Victimization: Monitor the activities of your child and discuss dealing with strangers.
• Lying, stealing or antisocial behavior: Family counseling is helpful, as well as setting simple and consistent rules with immediate consequences.

Adulthood:

• Housing: Finding appropriate housing for adults affected by FAS/FASD is extremely challenging. Contact your state’s department of disabilities to pursue residential funding and get on every waiting list you can find that offers housing options.
• Poor peer or social relations: Enroll your child in classes or social clubs for adults with disabilities.
• Mental health issues: Provide structure, routine and plenty of activities. Investigate medication options and counseling.
• Handling money: Many FAS adults need the family to handle all financial matters.
• Difficulty obtaining or keeping jobs: Investigate trade schools, job training programs or job coaches. Be sure to select jobs that offer structured, routine activities that won’t cause overload or stress.

More Tips

Routine:

• Keep your family’s routine as consistent as possible.
• If the family’s routine or schedule changes, remind your child about changes.

Behavior:

• Learn how to tell when your child is getting frustrated, and help out early.
• Make sure your child understands the rules at home.
• Tell your child about what will happen if he or she has good behavior or bad behavior at home.
• Let your child know when he or she has good behavior.
• Teach self-talk to help your child develop self-control. Use specific, short phrases such as “stop and think.”
• Repeat everything you say and give your child many chances to do what you ask.
• Be patient.
• Give directions one step at a time. Wait for your child to do the first step in the directions before telling your child the second step.
• Tell your child before you touch him or her.
• Be sure your child understands your rules, and be firm and consistent with them.