Beneath the Surface: Understanding and Supporting FASD Behaviors

Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) presents unique challenges that aren’t always visible to the outside world. As caregivers, understanding these hidden struggles is crucial for providing effective support. Let’s explore six common behaviors associated with FASD and strategies to address them.

1. The Transition Tango

What’s happening beneath the surface:
Individuals with FASD often struggle with shifting from one activity to another due to challenges with executive functioning. What might look like stubbornness is actually difficulty in mental flexibility.

How caregivers can help:

• Provide clear, visual schedules to outline the day’s activities
• Give advance warnings before transitions (e.g., “In 5 minutes, we’ll be leaving for school”)
• Use timers or countdowns to signal upcoming changes

2. The Sensory Rollercoaster

What’s happening beneath the surface:
Many people with FASD are hypersensitive or hyposensitive to sensory input, leading to seemingly unpredictable reactions to their environment.

How caregivers can help:

• Create a sensory-friendly environment by managing light, sound, and textures
• Offer sensory breaks or tools (e.g., noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys)
• Develop a personalized sensory diet with an occupational therapist

3. The Memory Maze

What’s happening beneath the surface:
Short-term memory problems can make it seem like the person is not paying attention or is being defiant when they’re actually struggling to retain information.

How caregivers can help:

• Break instructions into smaller, manageable steps
• Use visual aids and checklists to support memory
• Repeat information patiently and consistently

4. The Cause-and-Effect Conundrum

What’s happening beneath the surface:
Challenges in connecting actions with consequences can lead to repeated mistakes, which might be misinterpreted as intentional misbehavior.

How caregivers can help:

• Use concrete examples and immediate consequences to illustrate cause and effect
• Provide consistent structure and routines to reinforce learning
• Offer frequent positive reinforcement for desired behaviors

5. The Social Skills Puzzle

What’s happening beneath the surface:
Trouble reading social cues and understanding unwritten social rules can lead to inappropriate behavior in social situations.

How caregivers can help:

• Explicitly teach social skills and rules that others might learn intuitively
• Role-play various social situations to practice appropriate responses
• Provide opportunities for supervised social interactions to build skills

6. The Emotional Earthquake

What’s happening beneath the surface:
Difficulty managing emotions can result in seemingly disproportionate reactions to minor stressors, often misunderstood as simple moodiness.

How caregivers can help:

• Teach and practice coping strategies for emotional regulation
• Create a designated calm-down space for overwhelming moments
• Use visual aids to help identify and express emotions

These challenging behaviors are not a reflection of poor parenting or lack of effort from the individual with FASD. They stem from real neurological differences that require understanding, patience, and tailored support strategies.By looking beneath the surface and implementing these supportive approaches, caregivers can significantly improve daily life for individuals with FASD.

It’s a journey of continuous learning and adaptation, but with the right tools and mindset, we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment for those living with FASD.

TODAY’S NOTE: “When I push Mom’s buttons – usually I do not intend to. Sometimes, I admit it, yes.” – In Solidarity, Liz (1986-July 6, 2024)”