Behaviours

"One of the biggest challenges for children and adults with FASD is that those around them minimize, misunderstand, or ignore their disability." (chapter 1) FASD is often misunderstood and often looked at as behavioral problem instead of difference in their brain. 

When looking at knowledge of behaviors we need to know what signs to look for within the primary, secondary disabilities and developmental trajectories. Without knowing these we maybe think it is a behavioral problem. "The shift is from seeing a child as one who "won't" do something to one who possibly can't" (angel 2)

There is 3 Layers of Symptoms you could see are:

Number #1: The primary disability; this reflects how the brain works some of the symptoms appear like:

Learning disabilities

Slow auditory processing

Delayed growth

Slow cognitive processing

Sensory challenges

Easily distracted

Attention or memory deficits

Difficulty with abstraction

Inconsistent performance

Hyperactivity

Difficulties with problem solving

Impulsive behaviour

Dysmaturity (developmentally younger – 1/2 their chronological age in some areas). 

Number #2:
The secondary disability; characteristics without identification and accommodations, secondary defensive behavioural characteristics can develop over time as a result of chronic frustration, trauma and/or failure. These may look like:

Easily frustrated (short fuse, anger)

Easily fatigued (may show as over-activity, irritability, and/or tantrums)

Confused

Anxious

Aggressive

Destructive behaviours (not due to curiosity or just taking things apart)

Lonely, isolated

Easily manipulated and set up by others

Disruptive in class or at work

Fearful, avoidant, withdrawn

Disengaged (distant, shut down)

Sad

Number #3:
The next layer that we look at is the Tertiary characteristics this reflects the cumulative effect of chronic frustration and failure and are often preventable. Some of the symptoms that would be see are:

In trouble at home

Running away from home

In trouble at school or in the community

Delinquent or involved in criminal activity

At risk of unplanned or teen pregnancy

Involved with social services

Involved with legal/justice system

Alcohol/drug problems

Depression

Mental health problems

Suicide contemplation

Chronic self injury

Multiple diagnoses



(Alberta Learning, 2004, Manitoba FASD centre.(n.d.), Rendall, C.)