Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to a range of conditions resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. As dramatically illustrated in the slide to the right, drinking during pregnancy can permanently injure and damage the infant brain, causing the normally developing "brain circuits" (symbolically shown as the six arrows in the left brain) to become pruned, garbled, impaired or missing for those with FASD (shown symbolically by the skewed arrows in the brain on the right).
The result of prenatal alcohol exposure is brain damage, often without any other pronounced physical abnormality that lets us know a person with FASD has a disability. Essentially, the person looks normal, but the permanent brain injury results in unexpected, inconsistent, and unpredictable behaviors.
This is what makes FASD hard to understand, hard to treat, and hard to deal with. We too frequently assume someone with FASD is not trying hard enough or does not want to cooperate. In fact, it is the brain damage that is creating problems.
Just as we accommodate people who transport in a wheelchair, we have to make some accommodations for those with FASD (see www.fascets.org for great information about trying differently, rather than harder).
This is where the FASD Wheel (TM) comes in. It helps us remember about the disability and how to choose appropriate interventions, rather than re-telling, yelling, becoming frustrated and angry, and giving up.
The FASD Wheel™:
The FASD Wheel™ is a new way to conceptualize the brain damage inherent in individuals with an FASD diagnosis. It is a visual reminder, or cue, of the FASD person's strengths and weaknesses, and it is easily understood and applied to help caregivers and professionals try differently, rather then harder.
A visual cue of which brain domains are damaged
Visually represents an FASD person's "Ride Through Life"
Supports data-driven decisions for responding to an "FASD situation"
Helps avoid misattributions and improves the quality of interventions
Click the white FASD Wheel™ diagram above for a pdf file that explains and gives a brief training overview, plus a blank FASD Wheel™ that you can use immediately.
Mr. Harris (left) and Dr. Rock (second) with visiting Russian physicians consulting on FASD (2005).
For audio clips, please go to www.FASDElephant.com - Thanks!
Two chapters of my proposed book, Mending the Broken Cord, are available for download with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the icons to load each chapter.
These are intended for a professional and motivated lay audience (e.g., doctors, social workers, teachers, and motivated foster or adoptive parents), though anyone would have a better understanding of FASD from reading them.
Also, I am always looking for suggestions on how to make the FASD message in my book more understandable and accessible to everyone. If you have ideas, comments, or questions, you may email me at michael_at_FASDElephant_dot_com - Thanks so much.
Very important links you should know about:
www.FASDElephant.com - The companion website to the FASD Wheel. This website has a great deal of frequently updated information on FASD as well as the FASD Elephant (TM) Podcast, a weekly audio show that discusses beginning, intermediate, and advanced topics on FASD. You can listen right from the website or download the show to Windows Media Player, iTunes, or any mp3 player (such as an iPod). Check it out today!
www.mofas.org - Minnesota's "go-to" FASD organization and website on training, education, resources, and more. Best in the nation, so check it out!
www.nofas.org - The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, listing many resources throughout the United States.
www.fascets.org - Exceptional FASD thinker and advocate Diane Malbin, MSW, who is an outstanding trainer and speaker.
Indian Health Board's Counseling & Support Staff.
Back row: Michael Harris (C&S Director, Psychologist, FASD Team), Aaron Meyers (Predoctoral Intern, FASD Team), Reva D'Nova (Business Coordinator, FASD Team), Dr. Susan Lund (Psychologist, FASD Team), Arianne Getz (Predoctoral Intern, FASD Team).
Middle row: Margaret Monroe (Social Worker), Hina Siddiqui (Postdoctoral Fellow, FASD Team), Beth Lo (Practicum Student), Pam Vogt (Business Coordinator).
Front row: Zack (Practicum Student), Richard Wright (Alcohol/Drug Counselor, FASD Team), Dr. Maren McMillan (Psychologist).
Not pictured: Dr. Genni Goschke (Psychologist, Training Director), Dr. Marguerite Vasshti Butler (Psychologist, FASD Team), Dr. Rosario Grau (Adult Psychiatrist), Dr. Cynthia Belt (Child Psychiatrist, FASD Team), Dianne Anderson (Occupational Therapist, FASD Team).
Michael L. Harris, M.A., L.P.
A Licensed Psychologist since 1997 and working with high-risk children and families since 1993, Michael Harris is currently director of mental and chemical health services at the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis (IHB), a non-profit community healthcare center, serving the urban American Indian community and people of all races in the Twin Cities. Over the years, Harris has developed expertise in not only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), but also foster care and adoption, trauma and abuse, childhood disruptive behaviors, and childhood attachment problems. He is also a Certified EMDR Therapist.
Harris has treated families affected by FASD since 1995, co-developed the FASD Evaluation Clinic at IHB in 1998, and served on three task forces/committees studying FASD. He is a member of the MOFAS Speakers Bureau and also provides consultation to emerging and established professionals regarding treatment of clients with FASD in the Twin Cities.
