FASD and the Ontario Health Curriculum

While there have been multiple attempts to amend the Education Act in Ontario to formally recognize FASD within the IPRC process and increase the knowledge capacity of educators, there has been a recent change made within the Health curriculum. In the Grade 7 health curriculum, FASD is now directly listed in section D3.2 under Making Connections for Healthy Living and in the Grade 8 health curriculum, FASD is listed in section D1.3 under Understanding Healthy Concepts. For grade seven, it reads: Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours D3.2 analyse the personal and societal implications of issues related to substance use, addictions, and related behaviours (e.g.,; risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder [FASD] as a result of alcohol use during pregnancy) [A1.6 Thinking] It is also important to note that the curriculum is using FASD instead of FAS and more importantly does not specify gender within this example. It is an important distinction as research is clear both parent’s alcohol usage can impact the child. It also states that it has both personal and societal implications and is connected to substance usage, addictions and related behaviours. It is clear this expectation does not shame or stigmatize individuals but rather describes them as needing support from all of us to make good choices. For grade eight, the language substantially changes. Rather than continuing in Making Connections for Healthy Living, the expectation is located in Section D1.3 in the Understanding Healthy Concepts. Substance Use, Addictions, and Related Behaviours D1.3 identify and describe the warning signs of problematic substance use and related behaviours for a variety of activities and substances, including cannabis(e.g., changes in behaviour, negative impact on mental health, gradual withdrawal from social circles, a drop in academic performance), and the consequences that can occur(e.g., fetal alcohol spectrum disorder [FASD] in children as a result of alcohol abuse by the mother during pregnancy). In this expectation, there are several significant changes. By moving to Understanding Healthy Concepts, there is a shift down on Bloom’s Taxonomy from applying to understanding. Considering students are expected to apply new information in a practical situation in grade seven, it seems reasonable to move to analyzing or evaluating in grade eight rather than going back to simply an understanding of the concept. The significant move from grade 7, where students are asked to Understand Healthy concepts including the impact of alcohol and FASD , to grade 8 where students are asked to analyze and evaluate the impact of Healthy Living which includes the consequences of various substances is important to note. FASD, the resulting consequence of alcohol use by parents prior to and during conception, is important to highlight as part of a shift for grade 7 and 8 students so that they can make informed decisions. However, that understanding contains misinformation. The phrase “in children” should be eliminated as we know FASD is a lifetime physical disability(CanFASD 2019) and is not something children grow out of when they become adults. In 2020, Popova et al released a study that refutes myths related to race, age or socioeconomic status and any potential connection with FASD. Dr. Popova conducted a study in Toronto that looked at the profiles of mothers of children with FASD. Her study showed that 74% of the mothers were Caucasian, 90% were married or in common-law relationships, 90% were employed and 74% had a post-secondary degree and the mean age at pregnancy was 32-34 years old. Fathers were very similar in profile as well. Most telling, though, 100% of mothers were consuming alcohol before pregnancy recognition with 63% doing a planned pregnancy versus 84% of the control group doing a planned pregnancy. Once pregnancy was recognized, only 10% of mothers continued alcohol consumption. Finally, none of the mothers had ever needed to seek help for alcohol usage. It is very clear FASD is rarely due to alcohol abuse and more about pregnancy recognition and creating public awareness. More telling, last year, Dr. May et al also released ground-breaking research demonstrating a father’s alcohol consumption also impacts a child’s outcomes particularly in brain development and communication skills. Rural FASD thanks MPP John Jordan for once again sponsoring FASD Awareness Day at Queen’s Park on December 9 from 10:30 to 1:00pm with remarks at noon. To confirm your attendance, please contact Rob at ruralfasd@gmail.com.