title: Persistence in high school: experiences of adolescents and young adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined persistence in high school among students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) from the perspective of the adolescents themselves. Tinto's (1975, 1997) Student Integration Model (SIM) provided the theoretical framework for the research. This model consists of three factors: background characteristics, academic integration, and social integration.
  
  
  METHODS
  A collective case study method involving 8 adolescents with FASD from Canada and the United States was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the students did not meet the usual academic standards and had acquaintances rather than friends, they perceived themselves as academically and socially successful. It was shown that persistence occurred largely because of the strong support of, and advocacy by, the adoptive parents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parental advocacy is an environmental factor that may protect adolescents with FASD from dropping out of high school.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa, Canada. cduquett@uottawa.ca
authors.forename: Cheryll
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duquette
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stodel
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fullarton
authors.forename: Karras
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hagglund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002170:Canada; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States