We're stoked to see an article by our Principal and Practice Advisor, Kim Milne, appearing in NZ education magazine 'everyday'. It's a multi-page overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder for kaiako / teachers and other school support staff.
There are plenty of tips for quick wins for students with FASD – for example, try looking at your classroom environment with fresh senses to reduce distractions. You'll also find out how to spot ākonga who may be masking learning difficulties with behavioural symptoms as well as the potential neurological reasons behind these behaviours – and ways to reframe them with your new knowledge so your neurodivergent learners can feel safe and begin to thrive.
Be a detective, not a judge!
A quick excerpt:
"When you see a child struggling with impulse control, memory, or following instructions, you’re not seeing laziness or defiance. You’re seeing a brain working three times as hard as their peers just to get through a typical school day. Imagine running a marathon in a suit of armour — that’s what they’re dealing with."
