What School Systems Should Know

Students with FAS have special learning needs and behavioural challenges

How does FAS affect a student’s learning and behaviour?

Students with FAS have problems with information processing. Often times they cannot utilize the new information they have been given, as they have difficulty storing information.

IQ scores vary across individuals with FASD’s. However, levels of adaptive functioning is lower than expected. For instance, their ability to perform daily skills may be poor.

A teacher talking to a student sitting at their desk, with them both smiling.

Educators have the ability to help all students reach their full potential!

Challenges for educators who may teach students with FAS:

  • Hyperactivity
  • Problems with attention
  • Poor social skills
  • Disruptiveness
  • May not follow rules or authority

Strategies that may be successful when education students with FAS:

  • Hands-on learning methods
  • Routine learning
  • Short and simple instructions for tasks
  • Providing constant supervision

Remember, recognition of FAS can be difficult…

Many students go unnoticed or misdiagnosed, as many people lack the features associated with FAS. Majority of students will be ale to articulate and perform certain skills.

Students who exhibit problems with learning and behaviour may require testing to identify any damage to the central nervous system.

For more information, please visit:

National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

What Happens When Children With FASD Become Adults?