Substance Exposed Infants and Children. ERIC Digest #E505.

According to a study conducted by the National Association for Perinatal Addiction Research and Education, an estimated 375,000 newborns per year face serious health hazards due to their mother's prenatal drug use. It is estimated that 11 to 15% of the babies born in the United States today were exposed in utero to alcohol and/or other illicit drugs (Poulsen, 1991). The problems associated with prenatal substance abuse are increasing and has serious implications for the future educational needs of the children and families affected. Services, programs, and strategies that have been developed in the field of special education will have a role to play in meeting their needs.

WHAT TECHNIQUES CAN BE USED TO PROMOTE INTERACTION IN SUBSTANCE EXPOSED INFANTS?

WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUBSTANCE EXPOSED CHILDREN?

Protective factors to be built into a classroom.

* Curricula should be developmentally appropriate and promote

experiential learning, interaction, exploration, and play in a context

that is interesting and relevant.

* Play: Adults must actively facilitate children's play activities by

helping them extend the complexity and duration of such activities.

* Rules: The setting should be one in which the number of rules

specifically told to the children is limited.

* Observation and assessment: Assessment should be made during play, at

transition time, and while a child is engaged in self-help activities.

* Flexible room environment: The setting should allow materials and

equipment to be removed to reduce stimuli or added to enrich the

activity.

* Transition time plans: Transition should be seen as an activity in and

of itself with a beginning, middle, and end.

* Adult/child ratio: There should be enough adults to promote

attachment, predictability, nurturing, and ongoing assistance in

learning appropriate coping styles.

These guidelines are appropriate for all preschool classrooms. Most young children prenatally exposed to drugs and/or alcohol can be served in regular preschool settings.

Facilitative processes to be built into a classroom.

* Attachment: A major goal for each child is to develop an attachment

to one of the adults in the classroom.

* Respect: Adults must respect children's work and play space.

* Feelings: Feelings are real and legitimate; children behave and

misbehave for a reason, even if adults cannot figure it out.

* Mutual discussion: Talking about behavior and feelings, with empathy

not judgment, can validate the child's experiences and set up an

accepting atmosphere.

* Role Model: Teachers need to model behavior that is appropriate for

children to imitate.

* Peer sensitivity: Until children experience having their own needs met

repeatedly and consistently, they will not become aware of the needs

and feelings of others.

* Decision making: Teachers need to recognize the importance of allowing

children to make decisions for themselves and provide many

opportunities for such decision making.

* Home-school partnership: Establishing a close working relationship

with the home as an essential part of the curriculum, strengthens the

positive interaction between child and family and increases parental

confidence and competency.

* Transdisciplinary model: The activities of all the professionals

concerned with the child and family should be coordinated.

The strategies identified as facilitative processes shape educational personnel's interaction with children and families on a daily basis. They are designed to counteract or help children cope with stressful life events they may be experiencing. In addition, the strategies are designed to provide children support in coping with any neurodevelopmental behaviors that impede their learning and classroom performance. These strategies can be combined with teaching techniques of using play as a learning activity and providing individualized and small-group guidance to assist children in mastering new skills (Vincent et al., 1991).

WHAT PLANNING IS REQUIRED FOR FUTURE NEEDS?

Transdisciplinary/transagency approaches to program development are necessary to provide for the varied needs of children and families affected by substance exposure. A variety of services may be needed by these families including specialized medical care, family therapy, home health care, early intervention services, mental health services, and vocational services.

REFERENCES

Rist, M. C. (1990). The shadow children. American School Board Journal. 177(1), 18-24. (EJ402318)

Schneider, J., Griffith, D., & Chasnoff, I. (1989). Infants exposed to cocaine in utero: Implications for developmental assessment and intervention. Infants and Young Children. 2(1), 25-36. (EJ396632)

Poulsen, M. (1991). Schools meet the challenge: Educational needs of children at risk due to substance exposure. Sacramento: Resources in Special Education.

Vincent, L., Poulsen, M., Cole, C., Woodruff, G., & Griffith, D. (1991). Born substance exposed, educationally vulnerable. Reston, VA: The Council for Exceptional Children.