Characteristics of FASD

Primary Characteristics:

Behaviours that are felt to most clearly reflect differences in brain structure and function:

• ›Dysmaturity, socially or developmentally younger
• ›Slower processing speed
• ›Impulsivity, distractibility
• ›Memory problems
• ›Inconsistent performance
• ›Strengths in some areas: art, music, computer, etc.
• ›Difficulty generalizing, forming links and making associations
• ›Difficulty abstracting and predicting outcomes
• ›Over and under-sensitivity to stimuli (sound, touch, visual info. Etc.)

Secondary Characteristics:

• ›Secondary defensive behaviors develop over time when there is a “poor fit” between the abilities of the individual and what is being required (e.g. visual learner –verbal instruction; slow processor-fast paced delivery; concrete-abstract etc.)
• ›Secondary symptoms are preventable
• ›Examples include:
  • Frustration
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Shut down, avoidant
  • Poor self esteem
  • Isolated
  • Family problems

Tertiary Characteristics:

Tertiary characteristics result from chronic “poor fit”, anger, failure and alienations:

• ›Trouble in school –truancy, drop out
• ›Social services involvement
• ›Involvement with justice
• ›Addictions
• ›Homelessness
• ›Mental Health Problems