As with any child, reaching the teenage years can be difficult and different. Children with FAS/FAE may have an extra difficult time during these years. Some typical behaviors of teenagers with FAS are:
- Poor peer judgment
- Problem behaviors
- Depression (even suicide)
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- May become over stimulated and /or overwhelmed
To help guide children during these adolescent years, The Minnesota Department of Health has listed some guidelines for adolescent with FAS/FAE:
- Create structure – a structured environment includes limited choices by having clear and set routines. Allow the environment to adjust for development and understanding.
- Supervision – supervise adolescents to ensure that they do not get into troublesome situations.
- Instructions need to be brief and clear and understood by the adolescent.
- Create small steps when completing a larger task. Steps may have to be repeated.
- Adolescents with FAS/FAE may not have the ability to transfer one skill learned in one setting to another. Skills need to be taught in a way in which the adolescent will use the skill.
During adolescent years is when puberty takes an onset. As with any adolescent during this time significant changes are happening in development and behavior. Some changes and adjustments that will be taking place may include:
- Puberty
- Eating habits – FAS children may develop unhealthy eating habits and tend to be obese
- Anger and violence management issues
- Learning problems
Complete list of secondary problems associated with FAS compiled by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Secondary conditions are problems that a person is not born with, but might acquire as a result of FAS. These conditions can be lessened or prevented through better understanding of and appropriate interventions for children and adults with FAS and their families.
The following are some of the secondary conditions that have been found to be associated with FAS:
Mental Health Problems - Several studies have shown an increased risk for cognitive disorders, psychiatric illness, or psychological dysfunction among individuals with FAS. The most frequently diagnosed disorders are attention problems, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); conduct disorder; alcohol or drug dependence; depression; or psychotic episodes. Other psychiatric problems, such as anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder, have also been reported for some patients.
Disrupted School Experience - Children with FAS are more likely than most children to be suspended, expelled, or drop out of school. Difficulty getting along with other children, poor relationships with teachers, and truancy are some of the reasons that lead to their removal from the school setting. Many children with FAS remain in school but have negative experiences because of their behavioral challenges.
Trouble with the Law - Teenagers and adults with FAS are more likely than those who do not have FAS to have interactions with police, authorities, or the judicial system. Difficulty controlling anger and frustration, combined with problems understanding the motives of others, result in many individuals with FAS being involved in violent or explosive situations. People with FAS can be very easy to persuade and manipulate, which can lead to their taking part in illegal acts without being aware of it.
Inappropriate Sexual Behavior - Individuals with FAS are more likely than individuals who do not have FAS to exhibit inappropriate sexual behavior, such as inappropriate advances and inappropriate touching. Being a victim of violence increases the risk of participating in sexually inappropriate behavior.
Alcohol and Drug Problems - Studies suggest that more than a third of individuals with FAS have had problems with alcohol or drugs, with more than half requiring inpatient treatment.
Dependent Living and Problems with Employment Over 21 Years - Adults with FAS generally have difficulty sustaining employment or living independently as productive members of their communities.
Problems with Parenting - Individuals with FAS who experience some of the other problems described here are more likely to become parents compared to individuals who do not have FAS. For example, an individual who has FAS may have poor judgment and poor impulse control as a result of primary brain dysfunction. These factors, combined with a secondary condition of alcohol dependence, may result in unprotected sex and pregnancy. This can possibly lead to another generation of babies at risk of prenatal alcohol exposure. Individuals with FAS who become parents are more likely to have a history of having lived in unstable homes, more likely to have been homeless, more likely to have run away from home, and more likely to have experienced domestic violence compared to individuals with FAS who do not become parents.
Resources:
A Parents Guide to Finding Support
http://olrs.ohio.gov/other/ParentsGuide.pdf
Therapy/ Respite Camps for Kids
http://wmoore.net/therapy.html
Finding Child Care in Ohio
http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/
FAS Tip Sheet produced by Canada
http://www.child.gov.ab.ca/whatwedo/fas/pdf/publictips.pdf
Living with Infants, Toddlers, and Children Who Have
Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol
http://www.uchsc.edu/ahec/fas/guides/parentsguide.pdf
Play Areas Accommodating All Children:
Currently One playground under construction in Ohio http://www.boundlessplaygrounds.org/index.html
Guidelines of Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/mcshn/pdfdocs/fas.pdf
Listing of secondary problems associated with FAS.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/secondary.htm
List of Secondary Problems Associated with FAS (school/ violence)
http://eiconline.org/creative/spotlighton/fas/2.html
Help Me Grow of Cuyahoga County
http://www.helpmegrow.org/earlyintervention/eidefinitions.htm
Ohio Legal Rights Service: Early Intervention Services
http://olrs.ohio.gov/asp/olrs_EIServices.asp
Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
http://odmrdd.state.oh.us/CitizensDoc/ChildrenUnder2.htm
State of Ohio Resources
http://www.nofas.org/resource/results.aspx?ST=35&Name=Ohio