Lunch ‘n Learn: Brain Domains - Communication and Language

During the month of March’s Caregiver Tea we focused our discussion on the language and communication brain domain.

The following information is similar to that presented at our information session and may provide a brief introduction to the topic for those who were unable to attend our event.

“Many researchers have found language difficulties in children with FASD. These problems show up when children are trying to understand and express language, and include difficulties:

Room for improvement for Children with FASD:

• Being able to label something (“naming”)

• Understanding grammar and speaking with proper grammar.

• Understanding meaning in language (“semantic ability”)

• Understanding how context contributes to meaning in language (“pragmatics”)

• Social communication (i.e. having a conversation and understanding non-verbal cues).

• Word comprehension

• These language difficulties are related to problems with communication, which is also related to social functioning. Social communication (i.e. understanding and using nonverbal cues and retrieving the right words) is often very difficult for people with FASD. They may speak in a disorganized way or have trouble considering the perspective of the person they are talking to. 

  Depending on the child, they might have slower vocal development or they might be very talkative. A talkative child with FASD may lack richness of thought, speech, or grammar. Speaking with children at all ages is encouraged because it gives them practice and opens them up to learning moments. Asking questions, singing songs, identifying sounds, offering choices, and practicing the alphabet and counting are good ways to engage a child’s language and communication skills.

  Difficulties with communication may persist into adolescence and adulthood, as individuals with FASD may not develop skills at the same rate as their peers. Difficulties may in fact increase because language and communication demands increase as a person ages.”

To learn more about this topic please visit; https://edmontonfetalalcoholnetwork.org/2021/04/12/getting-to-know-fasd-from-a-to-z-language-and-communication/

Additionally, below is a video presented at our Lunch ‘n Learn by Myles Himmelreich, an FASD advocate who is sharing his experience as and individual with FASD.