If the
drinking mother knew what FASD was, she should readily admit it during
pregnancy and at birth and minimize secondary characteristics through education
and the extra care and attention the child will forever need. However, not all
moms will admit honestly the extent to which they had drank or drugged because
they don’t want to sound “awful” and face a stigma. That said, she is not
helping the baby/child at all. An honest mother can make a huge difference in
the child’s development and future success.
But
whether it’s just ignorance (‘cause some people just don’t watch the news, read
newspapers or generally engage themselves with media) or dishonesty, the
earliest start time for special attention is immediate.
I know a
woman who’s whole life consists of Maury Povich, court programs, and believe it
or not, cartoons. After school her granddaughter watches TV, taking over from
grandma. I lived in this woman’s house as a roomer and couldn’t help but to shake
my head at a grandma who remains so blind. Oh, did I mention she’s a wino?
And so
the situation lived itself out. Grandma’s daughters’ child was taken from the
real mom by the government and grandma took over care of the child. The girl is
10 now. As far as I know, the girl’s mom does not drink because A-- (the
10-year old) seems very normal to me and shows absolutely no secondary
characteristics. Yet. I say “yet” because every child with any of the
FASD disorders can and usually are different in some way and A-- is still
growing. FASD deficits may still be indiscernable.
I realize my blog specializes in "prevention," the "aftercare" blog here only shows a picture of what the future may be.
So, here
is what a dishonest or ignorant (not knowing) mother (and her husband) should
have been (should be) examining as the child grew/grows up after it's born:
A: Personal care:
1. Toileting
Four items
including “Recognizes/ indicates need to go to toilet” and “Flushes toilet
after use.”
2. Personal hygiene:
Five items
including “Washes hands and face” and “Takes care of personal hygiene – body
odor, nails, combing hair, (women) menstruation, (men) shaving.”
3. Eating
Five items including “Uses table utensils” and “Has general table manners – says “please” and “thank you”, uses Napkin, doesn’t talk with mouth full.”
4. Dressing
Five items including “Dresses and undresses at appropriate time” and “Does fasteners – buttons, zippers, snaps.”
B: Daily living skills:
1. Room management
Five items including “Keeps room tidy and/or accepts sharing of responsibility of room cleaning” and “Takes care of personal belongings.”
2. Kitchen skills
Five items including “Sets table – dishes, glasses, cutlery, clears after meal” and “ Puts away groceries, linens, dishes in appropriate place.”
3. Domestic skills
Five items including “Does minor household tasks – dusting, sweeping, tidying” and “Takes an interest in how house looks – pictures, plants, furniture arrangement.”
4:
Telephoning
Five items including “Understands the function of a telephone” and “Takes telephone messages.”
5. Time
Five items including “Understands the purpose of a
clock” and “Tells time.”
6. Health concerns
Five items including “Knows when he/she is ill and can
indicate illness to others” and “ Makes doctors and dental appointments.”
C: Community access:
1. Transportation
Five items including “Is familiar with the neighbourhood
and the services available” and “Behaves appropriately when using public
transportation.”
2. Money
Five items including “Understands function of money” and “ Uses banking facilities.”
3. Shopping
Five items including “Goes on errands” and “ Can get assistance from store clerk.”
4. Leisure/ recreation
Five items including “Takes part in planned/ supervised
leisure” and “ Satisfied with his own use of leisure time.”
5. Pre-vocational
Five items including “Follows instructions” and “Makes decisions or choices.”
D: Social skills:
1. Communication
Five items including “Knows what to do if lost – name, address, phone number” and “Asks for assistance or information when needs it.”
2. Awareness of others
Five items including “Smiles and greets people he/she
recognizes” and “ Is not overly friendly with strangers.”
3. Interpersonal skills
Five items including “Makes friends” and “Shares with others but sets limits.”
4. Problem solving
Five items including “Knows what happens when he/she
does well or when rules are broken” and “ Can work through a decision when
given two choices.”
E: Maladaptive behaviours:
1. Antisocial behavior
Five items including “Lies or cheats” and “Takes others’
property without permission.”
2. Rebellious behavior
Five items including “Ignores regulations or regular routines” and “ Misbehaves in group settings.”
3. Stereotyped behavior and odd mannerisms
Five items including “Has stereotyped behaviors – rocks,
twirls objects, paces” and “ Tears off clothing.”
4. Psychological disturbances
5. Violent and destructive
Five items including “Threatens or does physical violence to others” and “ Has violent temper or temper tantrums.”
6. Inappropriate sexual behavior
Five items including “Engages in masturbation or sexual intercourse in inappropriate places or times” and “ Has tendency to direct sexual activity towards inappropriate others – unwilling partners, children.”
7. Self-abusive behavior
Six items including “Bites self” and “Bangs head or other part of body against objects.”
F: Health and physical care demands:
Five items including “Epilepsy” and “Diet”
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