FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS florida resource guide

SECTION 5Effects of PrenatalAlcohol Exposure andIntervention StrategiesOne of the mostdebilitatingeffects of prenatalalcohol exposureinvolves thedevelopment anduse of socialcommunication.Social communicationenables people toinfluence ‘day-today’events in theirlives.— Coggins, Friet, &Morgan 1997Health Care InterventionsHealth care professionals can work with families to:▪ Develop a personal and family medical history.▪ Develop a plan of care.▪ Develop an understanding of FASD and how to manage thecondition.▪ Create an environment that meets the needs of a child with FASD.▪ Foster healthy coping skills for the child and the family.▪ Foster self-esteem in the child.▪ Plan for educational needs, including post-secondary education,and career and employment.▪ Plan for transition to the adult health care system.Strategies for Developing Social SkillsIndividuals with FASD often display maladaptive behaviors thuscreating stress on families. In a study of 54 adolescents and adults withFAS and FAE, 77% had poor concentration and attention, 62% wereshown to withdraw, 57% were too impulsive, 53% were overlydependent, 53% were teasers or bullies, and 51% exhibited extremeanxiety (Streissguth & O’Malley, 2000).To mitigate maladaptive behaviors in children with FASD:▪ Set and enforce limits.▪ Provide a variety of rewards.▪ Repeat consequences of behaviors.▪ Praise appropriate behaviors.▪ Redirect inappropriate behavior.▪ Intervene early.▪ Don’t expect children to “act their age” — it may not be possible.42 FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS florida resource guide