FASD

[Moomoomie]

Does anyone have any experience of this?
My three year old adopted daughter is showing many traits, including delay in toileting, impulsive behaviour and poor concentration.
I am at a bit of a loss at where to go from here.

Again no direct experience. Have you asked GP to refer you to Paed to get a DX? Is she at nursery/playgroup? Ask their special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) what their opinion is. Does she need extra support? If she is not at nursery yet ask your HV or GP if the portage service can get involved. They deal with young children with special needs. Google it.

Are there any SN support groups locally? Ones you don't need a DX to get involved with. Was FASD always a possibility? Do you get any support through adoption agency or SS?

We'll be able to give better advice with a few more details.

GP has referred us to paed.
Always a possibility as birth mum drank an awful lot of alcohol, even though we knew this it has come as a bit of a shock.
She goes to pre school and is due to start nursery after easter.
Pre school raised concerns about her impulsive behaviour and lack of concentration.
My main concern at the moment is the toileting at nursery.
Post adoption support not been brilliant tbh.

I didn't think adoption agency would be much cop. Once adopted she's yours, no more support than a birth parent with a child with SN? You'll need to go down both routes, medical, through paed, and educational through nursery/preschool. Best to do both in parallel to get ahead of the game IMO. You want to maximise your DD's potential.

It's a hard time to get through, these early, uncertain days. Keep posting on here for info and support. Whatever the DX or no DX all welcome here.

Thank you for your support.
I know it is going to be a hard slog, but we will do it.
She is a bright little button, but because of everytnig else that gets overlooked.
We have tried everything with the toiletting and we are getting there, slowly but surely.
We have spoken to nursery and they have promised to continue what pre school have been doing.

Hi how long have you had your dd and how long since the adoption order, post adoption should support you for three years post order and there is more support out there for adopted children, some charities support school fees ect. (i will ask my friend about which ones - she gets her private school fees paid for her adopted dd, she is older though)

I only know one child (adopted) with fas and he is a great kid, he has learning difficuties and classic fas facial features. as northern sky said many behavoiurs are like asd, routines/obssesions ect. I dont know about toileting as he is older.
Three is still young for toileting esp if she has a delay and the pead should be able to help with that too.

Good luck.

welcome to the fas adoptive club

the nofas-uk group in london is a good place for information, lovely to speak to on the phone or email.

they can also put you in touch with fas families local to you

well done, you already know the key ingredients with a fas child...slowly and surely

We have children with FAS and FASD do not listen too or tag your child at this stage to these conditions, may be other underlying condition attatchment disorder , post traumatic stress , etc. Assement/diagnosis for FASD with NHS child needs too be 6+. But Early intervention is vital at age 0 too 7 these interventions will help any child they are simple., JUST AN ALTErNATIVE way of parenting early years. We did not have any support for our's both are now adults in full time employment and independant. Sadly there is alot of negativity around FAS FASD all are on the band wagon no posotive's . see www.fasaware.co.uk lots of resources and education " reach too teach is good.

What you discribe could fit lots of problems related too an adopted child sure you will find answer's ' . Probable a chromosone disorder . Our two were also
adopted, main thing is lots of love, play and inclusion's with other children. encourage sporty activity's . sure you will.

Hello @Moomoomie,

I have direct experience. My adopted daughter has FASD, she is turning 6 in September. At age 4 we went to see a Geneticist (privately) who specialises in birth disorders. He was able to do a physical examination to look at my daughter's features, also through him we did a clinical assessment looking at behaviour, and we had a CG Array blood test done, which has shown that she is missing DNA. We are trying to get the birth parents tested, but so far only birth mum has agreed.

I became very ill fighting at every stage to get someone (anyone) to listen to me and help me get a diagnosis. SEND Partnership should be able to give you advice on what to do and where to access what as you move forward getting the right support. The best, most dynamic person on our team was the SENCo at nursery.

The Adoption Support Fund has not been very helpful and there isn't an awful lot of support they can offer. That said, through our NHS Community Paediatrician, we have 7 specialists working with us on all aspects of my daughter's disability—from sensory disorder (OT), to behaviour, learning difficulties, attachment problems, speech & language, the genetics and a paediatrician trying to address her hyperactivity.

Also when you fill in forms please write ADOPTED CHILD big in red at the top of the form so that your form gets fast-tracked. Adoptive families can be under so much more pressure than birth families, due to the additional problems such as attachment disorder, and trauma & abuse suffered by the child before being adopted. Also if the adoption breaks down due to parents not being able to cope this is a DISASTROUS situation for a child. So don't let anyone make you think that you are the same as a birth family. Adopters and adoptive children are exposed to tons of extra emotional pressure & trauma!

I wish you only good in a very hard situation. And please feel free to ask me any questions. I would be happy to share anything about our journey if it might help. x