Teaching Students with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Running Head : CHALLENGES IN TEACHING F .A .S . STUDENTS

The Challenges of Teaching Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Rod Lindberg

University of Scranton

Abstract

FAS is the most prevalent cause of mental diss in the United States . There are numerous negative effects associated with this dis that impact the social , physical , cognitive and behavioral development of the individuals . FAS poses significant challenges for the teacher and the student within the classroom . IDEA requires these students to be oriented in the general education classroom . Stakeholders in the education of FAS

students need to take into consideration their various challenges and design programs that would appropriately meet their individual needs so they can be effectively oriented in society There are still areas of research and development needed to further an understand of FAS and its related diss and efforts should be made to resolve these

The Challenges of Teaching Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Introduction

The educational system within the United States has undergone a number of structural and policy changes in the last few years specifically as it relates to special needs education . The focus of policy makers and educators , as demonstrated in the newest Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA ) is for improved access to education for individuals with disabilities . IDEA specifies that students with disabilities must be allowed in the general education classroom with their peers who do not have disabilities . The entrance of individuals with all classes of disabilities into the general education classroom is taking place along side other education trends towards diversification . The American school population is seeing the ration of ethnic minority groups increasing and more and more research is showing that even the able have their own special needs in the classroom

With all these trends combined it is becoming increasingly challenging for teachers at all grade levels to effectively meet the need of each child within the confines of the school day and a school curriculum Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS ) represents the most prevalent cause of mental retardation within the U . S . population and therefore presents some of the most serious challenges for teachers and other educators who are required to devised effective means of meeting their special needs

IDEA aims to ensure that persons affected by FAS are given an opportunity to benefit from education as provided by the state . However despite the requirements of the Act it is evident that numerous students are still been relegated to schools and classes separate from individuals without disabilities . Furthermore schools often lack appropriate facilities or personnel to effectively cater for these special learners . Within some of these settings they are thereby robbed of the maximum opportunity for an adequate education as prescribed by IDEA . Teachers and educators , however , need to ensure that the principles of IDEA are maintained and that no child is left behind

This research will present information necessary for a full understanding of FAS , its causes , effects and prevalence as well as the challenges it poses for the teacher and the school...