'FASD Informed' Personal Assistant / Enabler: Exploring the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FASD)
- somersetmiracles
- Aug 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 15
This course is designed to support direct payment workers, personal assistants, volunteers, youth workers, or charity workers supporting children or adults 1:1 or 2:1 with prenatal alcohol exposure
FASD Informed™ Stage 1:
What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?….. with no assumptions start on the same page at a gentle pace; where we consider the damage of the brain and nervous system; how this impacts the whole child or adult.
What should you consider in adapting your methods of communication to support needs?
What is confabulation?
How can you tune in to support the sensory needs of a child or adult with FASD?
What should you look for if the child or adult is known to mask to 'blending in' to keep safe?
How can you build an attachment with a brain injured child or adult to help them to feel safe?
FASD Informed™ Stage 2:
Interpreting theory into practice, processing speed, transitions, sexualised symptoms, hyper-fixation, perseverance, confabulation, fluctuating capacity, differentiating needs, providing strategies in the moment to consider to support the spectrum; digging deeper into the practical considerations with case study reflection.
FASD Informed™ Stage 3:
Supporting forward planning and anticipated divergence of needs, digging deep into 'switching' techniques, looking outside the box & meeting emerging needs, planning well ahead for transitions (Developmental stage appropriate e.g: Tuning into strengths).
FASD Informed™ Stage 4:
FASD NICE Quality Standards, OFSTED good practice informing 'FASD Responsive' Practice; personalised care, fluctuating capacity, risk assessment, safeguarding, reflection and case management; forward planning and where appropriate involving a wider multi-disciplinary team.
Good practice in providing neurodevelopmental support informs us that working towards being an ‘FASD Responsive' organisation includes a 'whole team' approach which in turn will empower & inspire all professionals & carers that comes into contact with adults with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) to be inclusive.
In practical terms, what would the indicators be for a professional when considering how FASD impacts a young person’s life story?
Although individual indicators vary greatly, this is an illustrative example of what life might be like for someone with an FASD profile:
I might appear to be very articulate but have problems understanding what you have just told me, as well as keeping track of what I was asked to do to correct my behaviour.
I might be dreadful at keeping appointments and generally organising my life, including poor money concepts and an inability to either plan or follow through on other’s plans for me.
I might be very impulsive without thinking of the consequences; and, even if corrected, I may do it again because I have great difficulty learning from experience.
I might appear truculent and challenging and act inappropriately for my age.
I might be anxious and developing mental health issues because I am being bullied or misunderstood so often.
I might have real skills and talents I am unable to demonstrate consistently because my life is so disorganised and stressful.
I might say I am Ok but I am not.
(Hayes, Moritz and Reid, 2020)
(Each session consists of 90 minute bitesize online live delivery where the needs of the child are considered and tailored for)
Additional 1:1 sessions or consultation can be provided on request
Includes FASD Informed Certification & FASD Resources
For more details or to book email: info@fasdinformed.co.uk
