Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Support Group
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes a spectrum of permanent and often devastating birth-defect syndromes caused when the pregnant mother consumes alcohol. The main effect of fetal alcohol exposure is brain damage, which can be caused during any trimester, because the fetus's brain continues to develop throughout the entire pregnancy.
Hello,
I am writing in hopes that someone will be able to help me with my concerns regarding my 2 1/2 year old step daughter.
I fear that she may be an FAS case or possibly FASD, but not sure. Her mother had drank heavily the whole pregnancy, amongst other things. Now my boyfriend and I have my step-daughter frequently for visits anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks long depending on the convenience of her her mothers schedule. Every time we have her we work on her speech and communication skills because she has the verbal skills of a 9-12 month old. She has her own language, and basically out right refuses to try and pronounce anything. She is ok with some animal, and shape recognition, and only a few words can she speak clearly. As well, when you tell her she has done something wrong she doesn't seemed phased or bothered by it like other children would be. Her response is a simple "ok" and that's the end of it. I know when I chastise my 2 boys who are ages 6 and 3, they do the normal child thing, and cry, or show that they feel bad when they say sorry etc.
I know that with every child the learning curves are different, but my stepdaughter is well behind her curve. She has a total of 7 words that she pronounces clearly, everything else is all slurred together. She also pronounces her k's as t's...
Now I am not sure if any of this is in accordance to FAS or FASD symptoms which is why I am asking for help.
I am writing in hopes that someone will be able to help me with my concerns regarding my 2 1/2 year old step daughter.
I fear that she may be an FAS case or possibly FASD, but not sure. Her mother had drank heavily the whole pregnancy, amongst other things. Now my boyfriend and I have my step-daughter frequently for visits anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks long depending on the convenience of her her mothers schedule. Every time we have her we work on her speech and communication skills because she has the verbal skills of a 9-12 month old. She has her own language, and basically out right refuses to try and pronounce anything. She is ok with some animal, and shape recognition, and only a few words can she speak clearly. As well, when you tell her she has done something wrong she doesn't seemed phased or bothered by it like other children would be. Her response is a simple "ok" and that's the end of it. I know when I chastise my 2 boys who are ages 6 and 3, they do the normal child thing, and cry, or show that they feel bad when they say sorry etc.
I know that with every child the learning curves are different, but my stepdaughter is well behind her curve. She has a total of 7 words that she pronounces clearly, everything else is all slurred together. She also pronounces her k's as t's...
Now I am not sure if any of this is in accordance to FAS or FASD symptoms which is why I am asking for help.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
I am not sure what your boyfriend's legal control is... or why his ex-girlfriend still has any custody. We gained full custody of my step-daughter at age 6 months. She is now 3 1/2.
If possible, get her evaluated by a psychologist. Preferably one in FAS. Get her in speech and possibly occupational therapy. At home, structure is the key. A routine that she knows and does not alter. If it does prepare her. Continue to work on speech and communication. Other common issues with FAS are poor sleep habits, sleep walking, nightmares, not understanding consequences, trouble with transitions, not understanding first-then. hypersexuality, impulsivity, pleasure seeking, sensory integration issues, etc.
I found my husbands 2nd grade report cards a few years ago and it blew me away! He had a lot of problems in school...and still does. It is a little better, but I don't think he will ever be capable of good spelling, reading or writing.