Classroom Tips & Resources
How to Alter the Environment of Your Classroom
Being aware of the child’s physical environment is key to educating them successfully. Examples of planning your room to help accommodate FASD children may be:
• Be aware of using large rooms without carpeting (e.g., gyms). They tend to have an echo that can be disturbing to children with auditory sensitivities.
• The sounds of fans, air conditioners, and humming lights can also be disturbing as it causes distraction and sensory overload.
• Artificial lighting can be stressful for a child with visual sensitivities.
• A cluttered classroom with lots of disorganization affects not only you as a teacher but your FASD students as well. This can be an uncomfortable learning environment for them
• Temperatures can cause a child to shut down if it is too hot or too cold.
• Be aware of using large rooms without carpeting (e.g., gyms). They tend to have an echo that can be disturbing to children with auditory sensitivities.
• The sounds of fans, air conditioners, and humming lights can also be disturbing as it causes distraction and sensory overload.
• Artificial lighting can be stressful for a child with visual sensitivities.
• A cluttered classroom with lots of disorganization affects not only you as a teacher but your FASD students as well. This can be an uncomfortable learning environment for them
• Temperatures can cause a child to shut down if it is too hot or too cold.
![Picture](/uploads/4/7/0/7/47078457/6820763.jpeg?250)
Use Fidgets!
Fidget toys are becoming an increasingly popular choice for teachers because they help students focus, absorb more information, and self-regulate, while providing a calming influence. Simple, yet very effective, these toys get hands and fingers moving, feel interesting, and won’t distract others in the classroom. Fidget toys help the student focus on the teacher and prevents their need of touching other things and interacting with other students in the classroom. Some examples of fidget toys are:
Additionally, doodling is also another technique to allow students to do while class is occurring, keeping in mind that they are still paying auditory attention.
Fidget toys are becoming an increasingly popular choice for teachers because they help students focus, absorb more information, and self-regulate, while providing a calming influence. Simple, yet very effective, these toys get hands and fingers moving, feel interesting, and won’t distract others in the classroom. Fidget toys help the student focus on the teacher and prevents their need of touching other things and interacting with other students in the classroom. Some examples of fidget toys are:
- stress balls
- koosh balls
- bendable toys or pencils
- silly putty
- pencil grips
Additionally, doodling is also another technique to allow students to do while class is occurring, keeping in mind that they are still paying auditory attention.
![Picture](/uploads/4/7/0/7/47078457/5842134_orig.jpeg)
Seating for Students
Positioning is very important for learning and development of motor skills in students. If a desk chair is too large or small, proper support for printing and other desk activities lacks causing neck and back strain as well as muscular fatigue which is not ideal for positive learning. These are fantastic for students who need that little bit of movement during the day but are able to do it in a way that does not disrupt the class. This allows them to change various positions, massage their spine and keep their attention better focused on their work. Some examples of alternate seating for students might be:
Creating awareness and comfort in the classroom for FASD students is one step closer to making life a bit easier for them.
Positioning is very important for learning and development of motor skills in students. If a desk chair is too large or small, proper support for printing and other desk activities lacks causing neck and back strain as well as muscular fatigue which is not ideal for positive learning. These are fantastic for students who need that little bit of movement during the day but are able to do it in a way that does not disrupt the class. This allows them to change various positions, massage their spine and keep their attention better focused on their work. Some examples of alternate seating for students might be:
- wiggle cushions
- yoga balls
- standing
- special chair in a quiet corner
Creating awareness and comfort in the classroom for FASD students is one step closer to making life a bit easier for them.
Visual Classroom Resources
Providing FASD students with visual representations of their duties and responsibilities within the classroom will ensure a more independent experience for the students and will promote self-confidence and achievement.
References
Alberta Learning. (2004). Teaching students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Building strengths, creating hope. Retrieved from https://education.alberta.ca/media/377037/fasd.pdf
Alberta Learning. (2004). Teaching students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Building strengths, creating hope. Retrieved from https://education.alberta.ca/media/377037/fasd.pdf