I’ve just read an interesting article on the way to way to work about a mother fighting to get a diagnosis of FASD for her children. The article states that FASD affects around 3.2% of babies born in the U.K., and then goes on to say that this is 4 times the rate of autism. I’ve worked in 4 different schools now (2 primary and 2 secondary) and I’ve taught 1 child who potentially had FASD (and they were the only child in the school), although of course there may have been others without a diagnosis. I have however taught at least 20 children who have autism, that’s just a very quick head count without thinking too much about it. It also doesn’t include the half a dozen or so adults I know/am friends with who are on the autistic spectrum. I sent the link to my boyfriend who is a primary school teacher and he was very surprised by it too. I’m aware we are a very small sample, but it does seem odd that our experiences are so at odds with their numbers.
I’m not sure what my question is really, I was just wondering if any teachers/support staff/parents/HCPs have any insight in to the figures as it’s got me thinking. Here is the link, if anyone wants to read it.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-wales-50479907