Meeting the Needs of Children and Families: Part One FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME Professor Christine Cadieux by Dilara

Begum

Introduction to the child and family.

Simon and his brother Thomas (3 years old twins) have recently been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The boys foster parents have moved into the Toronto area from North Bay and are in the process of adopting the twins. They confide in you ( an ECE in the junior preschool room) that they are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the diagnosis and the move to the big city. Both boys show signs of cognitive delay and have difficulty with impulse control. The parents ask your advice on services in the Toronto area.

Introduction to the individual special needs.

Simon and Thomas have special need with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a term which describes a continuum of permanent birth defects caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.The reason of FASD, sometimes, a babys slowed growth, small birth weight and head circumference, small in stature, thin upper lip, smooth philtrum, small eye openings, flat mid-face. Baby does not develop normally during pregnancy. When this happen, called FASD. Children will FASD may have :learning disabilities developmental delay Inappropriate social skills difficulty learning from consequences hyperactivity poor concentration memory problem difficulty following instructions (Reading Package - part one. Inclusion of children with special needs by professor Chris Cadieux) http://connectability.ca/2011/10/05/fetal-alcohol-spectrumdisorder/

https://www.google.ca/search?q=child+with+fasd&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X &ei=hMYfU-KODcjOqAGH-ICYCw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=572

Simon and Thomas with FASD have cognitive delay and have difficulty with impulse control thats why they are feeling a bit overwhelmed . " Individuals with FASD, especially those who has microcephaly, poorly developed philtrum, thin upper lip and flattened maxillary area. Weight, length and/ or height below the 10th percentile (Reading Package - part one. Inclusion of children with special needs by professor Chris Cadieux) http://connectability.ca/2011/10/05/fetalalcohol-spectrum-disorder/

Meeting the needs in the Child Care Centre.

Once the child enters the child care program, there should be a process in place to ensure regular sharing of information between the parent(s) and the staff. Ideally, they should be communicating on a daily basis. To provide the consistency thats so important to children with FASD, parents and ECEs must work closely and be very supportive of one another. By sharing strategies, parents and ECEs can help each other interact more effectively with the child. The child will benefit from the consistent routines and smooth transitions created both at home and in the child care program.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/healthychild/fasd/fasdearly_en. pdf

 Reading is especially helpful for the child with cognitive delay if done in small groups. I will choose books with topics of interest for the children then Choose stories that have a lot of repetition, common themes and shorter length. I will set up the reading area with those books , then invite Simon and Thomas. I will read those books with an animated voice like full of expression. I will Point to pictures as I am reading. I will make comments, and ask questions, Do you see the red truck, Look at the little white puppy, What is the puppy doing?, or What do you think will happen next?

Dramatic play area is a wonderful place to imitate peer actions that enhance social awareness , fine & gross motor skills, cognitive skills & self help skills. .( Hand out. Inclusion of children with special needs by professor Chris Cadieux) I will provide all materials for a particular dramatic activity( exam. grocery store) and then I will make a small group including Simon and Thomas, then guide and supervise them through this learning experience.

Overview of referred agency/agencies& resources.

The following address , telephone number links are provided to get information's for service.

Motherisk Clinic 1-877-327-4636 For children and youth under the age of 18.
www.motherisk.org

St. Michael's Hospital Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic 61 Queen Street, 2nd Floor, Pediatric Clinic, Toronto, ON, M5C 2T2 Tel: 416-867-3655 / Fax: 416-867-3736 Email: stadeb@smh.ca

Easter Seal Organization.

E.S.O Ontario provides programs and services to children and youth with disabilities across Ontario to help them achieve greater independence , accessibility and integration & help financial assistance, parent resources information, scholarship.(http://www.easterseals.org) The following address , telephone number and links help parents how to register their child. Address:-One Concord Gate, Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M3C3N6. Telephone:-416-421-8377. Email:-info@eastersealorg. Financial Assistance:-Telephone:-18006686252-ex 325 E-mail:-camp@easterseals.org

Self Reflection
Inclusion of children with special needs course is designed for the students by a variety of exciting and essential services that respond to the special needs of families and children. The students will explore how personal attitude, values and boundaries affect professional relationships with special needs children and families. From this course I have learnt about different types of special needs , causes, effect and the need for childcare. For this assignment, my topic is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I Have collect a lot of informations through class lecture ,internet, class note, and handout .I also have learnt the principles of specialized supports in the child care settings as well as teaching strategies. Through research from internet , I got to know the name of agencies in the Toronto area who are providing services and support for special needs with FASD.

While I was doing this assignment , I was thinking about the situation of my back home where people with FASD were treated so rudely. I know how people with different disability were treated so poorly in some parts of the world. In my country people with disability like FASD called a social parasite and they were not able to get any education. But now UNICEF provides the support and work in many developing countries to improve better life of people with FASD in the content of global Citizenship and Equity. My Strengths are my hand out , class notes and my capability of searching internet for collecting information about FASD. My needs are that I have no practical experiences handling people with FASD. When I will work in day care centre, the theoretical knowledge from this course will help me to overcome all kind of challenges in a day care settings. As an ECE, all children are equal to me and I will serve the children according to their needs.

Bibliography

Inclusion of Children with Special Needs Reading Package Part One. By Professor Chris Cadieux. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FASD

http:// www.easterseals.org
https://www.gov.mb.ca/healthychild/fasd/fasd early_en.pdf