FASD Metis Settlement Newsletters

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, often called FASD, is a lifelong disability caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. It affects how the brain and body develop, which can influence learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation, communication, and daily living skills.

FASD is often invisible. Many people live with it without a diagnosis, and many are misunderstood or mislabeled as lazy, defiant, or unmotivated. In reality, individuals with FASD are working much harder than it appears, often without the supports they need to succeed.

With the right understanding and accommodations, people with FASD can and do thrive. Supportive environments, consistent routines, clear communication, and compassion make a meaningful difference across the lifespan.

Awareness is the first step. When families, educators, healthcare providers, and communities understand FASD, stigma decreases and outcomes improve. Every person deserves to be seen for their strengths, not defined by their challenges.

Learning about FASD is not about blame. It is about understanding, support, and building a more inclusive world.

When a child is living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), school can be both a place of opportunity and a source of daily struggle. FASD is a lifelong brain-based disability, and while it isn’t always visible, it deeply impacts how a child learns, processes information, and responds to their environment.

For many students with FASD, the school day is full of hidden challenges. They may:

• Know something one day and not recall it the next — not because they weren’t paying attention, but because their brain processes information differently.
• Struggle with multi-step directions or abstract concepts like time and money.
• Speak well but have trouble understanding what’s being asked of them.
• Feel overwhelmed by busy classrooms, transitions, or sudden changes in routine.
• Want to succeed, but get mislabeled as “defiant” or “distracted” when their brains simply need a different approach.
   

These children are not trying to be difficult — they are trying to navigate a world that often isn’t designed with their brains in mind. When educators, parents, and support teams understand FASD, everything changes.

Support for students with FASD doesn’t come from doing more of the same. It comes from doing things differently:

• Breaking things down into smaller, clearer steps so instructions feel doable.
• Creating structure and predictability, which builds safety and reduces anxiety.
• Using visual cues and hands-on learning, instead of relying only on verbal explanations.
• Building in extra processing time, so students aren’t rushed to “keep up.”
• Celebrating strengths, like creativity, kindness, or unique problem-solving abilities, rather than focusing only on what’s hard.
   

When adults adjust their expectations and strategies, students with FASD can flourish. They may not learn in a “typical” way — but they absolutely can learn, grow, and contribute in powerful ways when given the right support.

FASD often goes unrecognized in schools, which can lead to frustration for both students and educators. By shifting the lens from “won’t” to “can’t yet and here’s how we can help”, we create learning spaces where students with FASD are seen, understood, and supported to reach their potential.

This kind of awareness doesn’t just change a child’s school experience — it can change their entire life trajectory.