References:

References:

Brainwave. (2012). Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Drinking for two. Retrieved from: http://www.brainwave.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/FASD_A4_Fact_Sheet_web.pdf.

Canadian Child Care Federation. Caring for children with fetal alcohol

syndrome.Retrieved from: http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/wp-content/uploads/RS_70-e.pdf

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder reaching pandemic

proportions. (2014). Retrieved from: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/foetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-reaching-pandemicproportions-5871579.

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Also called FASD: (2014). Retrieved

from: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/fetalalcoholspectrumdisorders.html

Kids Health. (2011). Foetal alcohol syndrome. Retrieved from:

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fas.html

History of fetal alcohol spectrum diorders. (n.d). Retrieved from:

http://www.usd.edu/medical-school/center-for-disabilities/upload/history-of-fasd-9-09.pdf.

Interpretation of NZ law. (2011). Retrieved from:

http://www.life.org.nz/abortion/abortionlegalkeyissues/interpretationnzlaw/

Ministry of Education. (1996). Te whāriki: he whāriki mātauranga mō ngā

mokopuna o Aotearoa – early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.

Ministry of health. (2015). Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

Retrieved from: http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/disabilities/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd

O'Neil, E. (2016). The Discovery of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Embryo project     encyclopedia. Retrieved from: 
http://embryo.asu.edu/pages/discovery-fetal-alcohol-syndrome

Rights of the unborn child. (2011). Retrieved from:

http://www.life.org.nz/abortion/abortionlegalkeyissues/rightsunbornchild/

Satherley, D. (2014). Ban on drinking while pregnant won’t help-

expert. Retrieved from: http://www.3news.co.nz/Ban-on-drinking-while-pregnant-wont-help—expert/tabid/423/articleID/333524/Default.aspx

Susan, A., & Deborah, E. (n.d). Prenatal alcohol use and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Retrieved from:

https://books.google.co.nz/books?hl=en&lr=&id=5tXbAwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=1700s+to+1800s+effect+of+prenatal+alcohol+use&ots=JrWIUPBotm&sig=V2ZWwl-Zex6YqoU17QteY98VrbU#v=onepage&q=1700s%20to%201800s%20effect%20of%20prenatal%20alcohol%20use&f=false

 

The Neurodevelopmental Consequences of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure – (n.d). Retrieved from:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/510574

Tolley, P. (2015). NZ’s neglected foetal alcohol problem. Retrieved

from: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/201752639/insight-for-3-may-2015-nz's-neglected-foetal-alcohol-problem

Walsh, N. (2013). Sticking points over drink labels. Retrieved from:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/

What is fetal alcohol syndrome? (2014). Retrieved from:

 http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Fetal-Alcohol-Syndrome.aspx

Whitehurst, T. (2012). Raising a child with foetal alcohol syndrome:

hearing the parent voice. Retrieved from: http://eric.ed.gov/?q=foetal+alcohol+syndrome&id=EJ976907

World health organisation. (2014). Protecting unborn babies from

alcohol-related harm.  Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/features/2014/aboriginal-babies-alcohol-harm/en/

Pedagogical Implications regarding caring for children with FASD in early childhood settings.

As an early childhood teacher I would like to be aware of and be informed of the implications foetal alcohol syndrome can have on the children I may teach one day. 

The New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum outlines some guidelines and standards that teachers must adhere to when working with children with any form of special needs. Foetal alcohol syndrome would come under this category. The guidelines are as follows:

“Including Children with Special Needs

Care and education for children who have special needs is provided within the diverse range of early childhood services. The curriculum assumes that their care and education will be encompassed within the principles, strands, and goals set out for all children in early childhood settings. Activities will be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate and will enable children with special needs to be actively engaged in learning. An Individual Development Plan or Individual Education Plan (IDP or IEP) will be developed for any children who require resources alternative or additional to those usually provided within an early childhood education setting. Objectives for an IDP or IEP will be realistic, useful, and of value to the child and family. The programme will provide activities to meet the specified objectives, and the equipment necessary to promote independence. Te Whàriki is designed to be inclusive and appropriate for all
children and anticipates that special needs will be met as children learn together in all kinds of early childhood education settings. The programmes of each centre will incorporate strategies to fully include children with special needs."  

(Ministry of education, 1996, p. 11)

The Canadian Child Care federation (2003) outlines some 'tips' for parents and caregivers of children with foetal alcohol syndrome. These tips included establishing clear rules for the child, and following the same routine daily, giving the child plenty of notice if something is going to change. They believe these 'tips' will be useful as children with foetal alcohol often find it hard to associate their previously learned behaviours and/or skills with a new environment. Other tips include breaking down tasks to make them more manageable for the child to ensure the child’s development and self-esteem is supported. Providing the child with opportunities to make decisions for themselves (The Canadian Child Care Federation, 2003). 

It is important to not only think about the child in your care with foetal alcohol syndrome but also the parents and/or caregiver of the child with foetal alcohol syndrome. It is vital to understand and remember as an early childhood teacher that there are often different circumstances behind every child who may have been diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome. It is important that as early childhood teachers we stay free from judgment and accusations. "Sensitive support is critical to ensuring parents understand the nature of the disability, the prognosis and services available to them" ( Whitehurst, 2012).  Circumstances include the mother not being aware or educated about consuming alcohol whilst pregnant. She may have been misguided by family and friends or even a health professional. Below is a youtube link of a mother explaining her circumstances and how she was misguided during her pregnancy around consuming alcohol. 

Melissa - Birth mother of a child born with FASD - Misguided (2012)

Teachers must remember that they are not specialists nor are they doctors and must not be quick to diagnose children with FASD without obtaining proper guidance from professionals. 

When working with families of children with any form of special needs the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum – Te whāriki (1996) states that teachers must “take time to listen seriously to the views parents and caregivers have of their children’s learning and development and share decision making with them” (p. 55) and feel “welcomed and be comfortable and involved in the programme in ways that are meaningful to them and their child” (p. 55).

Applicable policies and legislations relevant to foetal alcohol syndrome

The focuses of policy discussions regarding early childhood education and foetal alcohol disorder. 

Insight has been investigating the burden that undiagnosed foetal alcohol damage is placing on the public, the community and individual families (2015). In November 2013 the government committed itself to implementing recommendations from a select committee into improving child health outcomes over Foetal alcohol disorder. These recommendations included calls for specific action to be taken. 

Neuropyschologist Valerie McGinn and Alcohol Healthwatch's Christine Rogan Photo: RNZ / Philippa Tolley

Ms Rogan said "drinking rates among pregnant women in New Zealand appear to sit at 25 to 30 percent, which would be high compared with other countries" (Tolley, 2015). At least 10 percent of expecting mothers drink at rate that is dangerous for their unborn child. 
"We have an opportunity at the moment to be part of a World Health Organisation (WHO) study but we have not [got] government funding and the WHO obviously won't fund a country like New Zealand" (Tolley, 2015). 

WHO/J.Fitzpatrick

The intentions would be to take a deeper look into foetal alcohol disorder, how the world health organisation can work at preventing it and the best support that can be offered for mothers and families dealing with foetal alcohol syndrome. There is so no cure foetal alcohol syndrome and its effects last a lifetime. The best cure is prevention. 
"Ministry of Health advisor on child and youth health Pat Touhy said two options were being considered: the WHO option favoured by Ms McGinn and a suggestion to use longitudinal research under way already in Auckland - 'Growing Up In New Zealand'" (Tolley, 2015). It is urged that taking action will lead to better understanding of foetal alcohol syndrome resulting in better medical care. 

To cause harm on an unborn child will soon become illegal in the United Kingdom according to Satherley (2014). Currently in New Zealand unborn children have no rights and are not recognised legally until after their birth (Rights of the unborn child, 2011). Questions surrounding whether or not the right of life does apply to foetuses are an area of conflict between many people (Rights of the unborn child, 2011). To criminalise a pregnant woman for drinking alcohol foetal rights would have to first be recognised. Recently National MP Tim MacIndoe stated “Personally I think prosecuting women for drinking would be going too far. There would be an outcry. Having said that, every encouragement should be given to expectant mothers not to drink” (Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder reaching pandemic proportions, 2014). Reinforcing MacIndoe’s statement, experts have previously stated that banning drinking for pregnant women or creating laws surrounding foetal rights and alcohol will not help prevent alcohol consumption in pregnant women (Satherley, 2014).

Foetal alcohol children in ECE

Children with foetal alcohol disorder suffer from behavioural disorders and intellectual disorders, sometimes resulting in misbehaviour or hard times in an early childhood setting. This can be a struggle and test for both the teacher and family of the child. However, with the correct research and funding many unanswered questions and suggestions for working with children with foetal alcohol disorder could be answered.