Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Parenting a child with an invisible disability by Julia Brown and Dr Mary Mather

I am an adoptive parent of two children who have Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders [FASD] and I would have welcomed this book as a valuable resource when they were first diagnosed.

Chapter 5 is excellent at discussing what does not work with FASD children before discussing what does work in Chapter 6 .

The main learning for parents is to develop and be able to be consistent in a daily routine and provide a structured supervised environment.

The following chapters concentrate on the problems FASD children have sensory processing, eating, temper tantrums and sleep or the lack of sleep.

It gives strategies on how to deal with the behaviours and communication and looks to education, social interactions and the move to independence.

The book highlights that everyone caring for a FASD child must accept there is no cure. This is lifelong disability, and one which must be managed and not solved.

My only slight criticism is that the interaction with the birth families and the emotional trauma they suffered before they came into care was not commented on.  Often these children have lived with their parents for a period of years and they need the opportunity to be nurtured and fill in these missing gaps and heal in their emotional life.

My two are now in their late teens, and the problems and need for care is ongoing as their inability to manage time and money continues.  There is a lack of services once they get past 18 and unawareness of adult social services regarding the lifelong needs of FASD Adults.

However difficult parenting these children can be, the rewards and fulfilment of the task is immense and one I am very glad I undertook.

I recommend this book to any adopters, foster carers and parents of Children with FASD.

Susannah MacKay