Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Oct 04/04) - An experiment in classroom conduct is starting to bear fruit at Bompas elementary school.

Fetal alcohol specialists Donna Wheway and Sandy Berg returned to Fort Simpson recently to assess students' behaviour.

In the spring of 2003, they made their first visit to help school staff better supervise and enhance learning for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), who often have learning disabilities and short attention spans.

After observing classroom activities, Berg was delighted.

"I've got to tell you that the changes have been significant in the children. It's wonderful," she said.

Principal Terry Jaffray said the school environment, including the playground, has become much calmer and happier over the past year. The students are more organized and ready to work, said Jaffray.

A number of approaches have been embraced at Bompas, such as Move and Sit seats, which are large, hollow, rubber wedges that provide a sensation of movement. Children with FASD tend to wander around the classroom but with these seats they can get similar stimulation without leaving their desks.

Some students also use lap pads "to make them feel more grounded," Jaffray said.

Classrooms have fewer posters and notices on the walls, which sometimes serve as distractions.

Clocks with faces that change colour as time elapses make it easier to understand the concept of time.

Pat Waugh, chair of the Fort Simpson FASD working group, applauded the effort.

"I think this school has surpassed anybody's expectations," Waugh said.

The Kids' Corner daycare and the Open Doors Society, a family resource centre, are also incorporating similar strategies, according to Waugh. As well, staff at Thomas Simpson secondary school are looking at adopting some of the approaches, she said.

Waugh added that the working group has purchased FASD resource kits for each Deh Cho community.