Which cognitive-communicative difficulty is commonly observed in children with FASD?

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) frequently experience attention and memory challenges as a primary cognitive-communicative difficulty. This is largely attributed to the neurodevelopmental impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure, which can lead to deficits in executive functioning, crucial for tasks such as sustained attention, working memory, and managing cognitive resources effectively.

Attention difficulties manifest in various ways, such as struggles with staying focused on tasks, difficulty filtering distractions, and challenges in regulating attention across contexts. Memory challenges often contribute to issues with both short-term and long-term retention of information, making it harder for these children to learn and apply new language skills and concepts.

While the other difficulties listed can also be associated with FASD, attention and memory challenges are particularly pronounced and widely recognized in research surrounding the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. These cognitive deficits can significantly impact social communication and academic achievement, making them a critical focus in understanding and supporting children with FASD.