Reflection 5

We all tend to observe children’s behavior whether there are our own or not, at the mall, in the grocery store or at the park, we all observe. Many of us are curious and stick around just to see how the parents will react to the child’s behavior mostly if it’s bad behavior. Parenting styles vary as do the results. Parents who care will spend some time in their child’s classroom or daycare to make sure their child is being taken care of, spoken to with respect, treated properly and most of all disciplined correctly. Families with FASD are well aware of their child’s behavior as well they are aware of the challenges faced by educators on a daily basis. It’s important both the parents and teachers compare notes and use the same teaching styles or techniques to maintain structure at home and at school .

It’s important to try and see life through a child’s eyes, specifically a child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, knowing their brain doesn’t work like ours. Understanding how they use their senses when dealing with each situation gives us a clearer picture of what and how they see. Understanding their behavior and why they act or react like they do shows the observer many things. These children want what we all want is to be accepted, to be liked for who we are, to be praised for our strengths and not to be judged for our weaknesses. If a child’s behavior causes conflict, frustration, or anger all parties should step back and not play the blame game but all need to remember the child is not bad his or her brain has been damaged.

When observing a child’s behavior a picture or message is sent to our brain and our brain gives us back responses for this behavior. If we change our frame of reference by looking at the same situation from a different point of view we can use reframing as a tool or communication technique. Reframing allows parents or teachers to see things from a different light, angle or a different frame. We can change the way we respond, we can change our perception about the behavior and thus the child and in a moment change our attitudes and behaviors. Seeing life through their eyes allows us to look at this disorder in a new light which gives us hope of how far a child can go the successes they can attain in their lifetime.