Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Schooling: A Tale of Two Boys and Differing Discourses.

Abstract

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the term to describe the range of adverse effects that can occur when a fetus is exposed to alcohol. At present in New Zealand there are no definitive statistics on the extent of FASD as a prevalence study has not been undertaken. However, as reported in the New Zealand Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Working Party Report (2016), at least one in two pregnancies are exposed to alcohol, with 10 per cent of these being exposed to high-risk levels. The life-long difficulties that people with FASD experience are becoming clearer as more is learnt about FASD and its effects. This paper describes the recent experience of two Year 11 teens attending different schools in New Zealand. The aim is to highlight the diversity of experience each had, due to the differing approach their school took towards them and their diagnosis of FASD.