FASD classroom reaches higher grades in Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region had success with its elementary school classroom for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(FASD), but until this week, there was nowhere for the children to go once they'd reached grade 8.

Now, a classroom for youth entering higher gradeshas opened at Waterloo Collegiate Institute.

Austin Layte, 13,saidhaving in-classroom support from teachers and staff who understand the learning andattention challenges people with FASD face has revolutionized his learning experience. Now that he doesn't have to face the challenges of learning in aconventional classroom, he saidhe's looking forward to high school, getting an education and developing skills for a trade.

"I want to learn more math," he said.

Austin and his mother, Kathy Moreland,spokewith Craig Norris onThe Morning Editionabout the difficulties that students with FASD can face in the classroom, and the importance of having the program extend from elementary grades right into high school.

• Listen to the interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition.