Section 6 (optional section)
Learners with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)
of your learners may have FASD. The effects of drinking on the fetus are varied and irreversible. Damage may be physical and/or mental. It’s an equal opportunity disease that can be found in any race or socio-economic group.
Activity A
What is FASD?
You may want to provide information on FASD because your tutors may have some learners with this disability.
Variation
If the group seems very interested in this topic, consider inviting a representative from a local FASD group or learning disabilities group to talk to your tutors as an extra session. For a directory of FASD groups, look on the Internet at www.ccsa.ca.
| Talk |
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS
- Ask if any tutors are familiar with the acronym FASD. Some may have heard of FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome), FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effect) or ARND (Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder), which fall under the broader FASD definition.
- You can use the very general definition of FASD in the section introduction or you may want to use a clinical definition from your regional FASD group or from one of the resources for further study.
- Don’t spend too much time on the syndrome, as it is difficult to diagnose. Instead present the following activity as a chance to understand learners with the syndrome and some general tutoring approaches that tutors can use if they suspect this is a problem.
|
Activity B
A learner’s viewpoint
This focuses on a learner’s heartfelt words. Tutors will become more connected with a learner by reading her thoughts out loud.
| Use of handout, group activity |
Materials and equipment
Handout 10.13: Things I Would Like Teachers to Know (2 pages)
Preparation
Copy handout.
Cut it into the different numbered statements. (Note: Be sure to cut up a copy of
the handout so that you have the original to use again.) |