Student Services

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual who has experienced prenatal exposure to alcohol. These effects may include physical, cognitive and behavioural disabilities which last a lifetime.

Information for Schools, Students, and Families

FASD is often referred to as a “hidden” or “invisible” disability since the majority of individuals affected do not have obvious physical features. In Manitoba schools, programming for students with FASD is done by a team, including the parents, using the student-specific planning process.

The Student Services Unit offers consultative support to school teams who are programming for students with FASD. Services may include student specific recommendations and assistance with determining priority learning needs.

The Student Services Unit also offers an online professional development opportunity to educators who are developing and implementing programming for students with FASD.

The Blackboard course involves 20 hours of reading, viewing videos, and collaborative learning experiences to give educators information to assist them with their work in providing appropriate educational planning for a student with FASD. This professional learning opportunity is recognized by Professional Certification as 20 contact hours that may apply towards Special Education Certification: School Counselling Certification: Level 1: School Administrator’s Certificate: Level 2: Principal’s Certificate.

Links

FASD Resources

Tapping Hidden Strengths: Planning for Students Who Are Alcohol-Affected
This is a planning resource intended to assist educators in meeting the needs of students who are alcohol-affected. Specifically the planning resource provides

  • processes and systems that can be used by a school/school division to address the needs of students who are alcohol-affected
  • strategies and interventions for individual students
  • sample tools including forms and support materials
  • additional sources of information including resources and useful Internet sites

What Educators Need to Know About FASD: Working Together to Educate Children in Manitoba with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Adobe Icon 1.32 MB)
The goal of this resource guide is to provide teachers with a clear understanding of the needs of students with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAS/E) by defining Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE); describing the common learning and behavioural characteristics, and suggesting strategies that may be helpful in supporting children who are alcohol-affected in the classroom. French version (Adobe Icon 1.58 MB)

Student-Specific Planning: A Handbook for Developing and Implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs)

Success for All Learners: A Handbook on Differentiating Instruction: A Resource for Kindergarten to Senior 4 Schools (1996)
Stock #MT 80320 - Not available online. Available from Manitoba Learning Resource Centre.

Towards Inclusion: A Handbook for Individualized (I) Programming Designation, Senior Years

Working Together: A Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs in School

Working Together: A Handbook for Parents of Children with Special Needs in School [Brochure] (Adobe Icon 795 KB)

Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD)
POPFASD is a British Columbia Ministry of Education provincial resource program whose mandate is to increase educators' capacity to meet the learning needs of students with FASD. The website provides electronic learning videos to give educators information to assist in providing appropriate educational programming for a student with FASD. Electronic modules can be viewed at POPFASD.

Legislation, Standards and Policies

Contact

General Enquiries
Inclusion Support Branch
Manitoba Education
Telephone: 204-945-7907
Toll Free in Manitoba: 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7907
Email: pssbinfo@gov.mb.ca