Developing Inclusive Practice for Young Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Framework of Knowledge and Understanding for the Early Childhood Workforce

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) have emerged as a major phenomenon within the education and health care systems. Prenatal exposure to alcohol is known to result in a range of birth anomalies for infants and children. Children with FASD experience a range of developmental delays, which limit their participation and progress in a range of educational and social settings.

Written by one of the UK’s top experts in the field, this practical and informative resource explores the complex and compounding socio-cultural, historical and political factors surrounding maternal drug and alcohol use, and the implications this has for young children’s learning and development across the childhood workforce. The book provides a framework of knowledge and understanding as a tool to develop inclusive practice.　

Developing Inclusive Practice for Young Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is an essential read for all early childhood professionals and practitioners. It offers a range of pedagogical strategies to improve children’s long-term developmental trajectory, whilst supporting children and families in a sensitive, respectful manner.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
3. Policy for Early Childhood Inclusion and Intervention
4. Theory, Assessment, Pedagogy and Support
5. Framework of Knowledge and Understanding to Support Young Children who have been Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol/Young Children Diagnosed with FASD
6. Conclusion

"We are entering a time of increasing recognition and a thirst for knowledge about FASD. This book builds on prior publications to target the knowledge at specific vital sectors of the education field, helping deliver crucial knowledge and guidance for those working in the early years sector. Carolyn has been one of the leaders in this field and area for many years in the UK. This publication can only help to improve the outcomes form children affected with this lifelong condition."
- Raja Mukherjee, Consultant Psychiatrist, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Lead Clinician Specialist FASD Behavioral Clinic Bracketts Resource Centre

"This book is going to be a much-needed addition to help our understanding of how FASD can impact on children’s development and education. Awareness of the impact of ingestion of alcohol in pregnancy on children is a relatively recent area of knowledge and despite the growing awareness of the devastation it can cause, it is likely that the number of children affected is going to rise. Consequently, there will be increasing numbers of children with FASD in education and care settings. Thus, the need for this book is timely. The book conveys knowledge about the condition in an accessible way, but more importantly, the content tackles what is a sensitive subject in a non-judgmental way. The addition of an extract by Carel (2016: 249) is a poignant illustration of the impact of this condition on children. It conveys insight into the holistic impact of FASD on a child and the consequent difficulties encountered in the everyday routine of being a pupil at school. This book is highly recommended."
- Dr. Jackie Musgrave, Assistant Head of Centre for Children and Families, Course Leader for the BA (Hons) in Early Childhood (Professional Practice), University of Worcester

"This short textbook aims to develop knowledge, skills and confi dence in early childhood professionals working with children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The author addresses the topic in a sensitive, respectful manner, putting children and families at the heart... Overall, the book reinforces the worthwhile nature of multidisciplinary and values-based approaches."
- Nicki Witkin, Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists