Characteristics of Infants and Toddlers with FASD
Infants with FASD may:
| Have low birth weight. | Be failure to thrive. |
| Have height or weight growth deficiencies. | Be irritable, jittery and/or nervous. |
| Have sucking or feeding difficulties. | Have trouble sleeping. |
| Be sensitive to sound, touch, smells, tastes, movement and light. | Have difficulty self calming. |
| Not seem alert. | Startle easy. |
| Have poor muscle tone. | Cry often |
Toddlers and older infants with FASD may
| Get upset easily. | Have short attention span. |
| Be easily distractible. | Have developmental delays |
| Be hyperactive. | Have problems using muscles. |
Infants and toddlers with FASD may have feeling (sensory) challenges.
- Little things seem to ‘set them off’ in a ‘big way’.
- Normal touch and baby play may send the child into hysterics or make them really angry.
- Some infants show alcohol withdrawal behaviors such as seizures, sleeping disorders, stomach upsets and extreme fussiness
Why?
Due to sensory issues some babies cannot screen out noise, lights or other distractions.
Results. They may become overstimulated, frustrated and irritable.
Possible solution. You may need to work with professionals trained in sensory integration to help normalize child’s sense system.
Infants and toddlers with FASD may have reacting (reflexive) challenges.
- Sudden noises or movements may startle them and they may not be able to self calm.
- The child’s pupil’s may not be able to dilate or contract when exposed to different kinds of lighting.
Possible solution. You may need to work with professionals skilled in normalizing prenatal reflexes to help these young children.