Reserve hosts FAS workshop
Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Hay River Dene Reserve (Mar 19/01) - Educators and health care providers heard some real life love stories about success with children affected with fetal alcohol syndrome.
Guests at an FAS workshop hosted last week by Hay River Dene Reserve learned how parents and educators can better cope and communicate with affected children.
Workshop facilitators Tina Gelasco and Joy Reagan shared anecdotal experiences to illustrate the diverse needs of the affected child.
"I think that helps to bring more reality to this," Gelasco said. "What I tell them is real -- so it's not just something they're learning out of a textbook."
Regan said the driving force behind the real-life recollections is to provide hope to people who might have otherwise given-up on children with fetal alcohol syndrome.
"There is success; these children can be successful adults," Regan said.
The pair said that success will only be gained by changing the environment, not the child. While FAS children need a structured environment, educators need to be flexible in curriculum to accommodate the whole class.
They suggested study in the morning, outdoor activities in the afternoon; and rules that work for the whole classroom. Educators need the support of government to change the rigid regulations and current school policies.
"Teachers want to do the job and we know the problem but we're held at bay, because of lack of resources and funds," Regan said.
They said that meeting the early needs of the children will give the child a chance at a successful life and build stronger communities.
"We have to remove the shame and blame form this disorder," Regan said. "This disorder affects everyone in every community."
"If we don't intervene with these little people now, the ramifications are that when they become adolescents, we see a greater proportion of all the mental health services, in the judicial systems, in drug and alcohol abuse, in promiscuous behaviour, so we have to invest now."
