FASDprevention.org
Committed to putting a STOP to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
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The main purpose of FASDprevention.org is to inform and educate the public on the most under-diagnosed epidemic in the world today.
It’s time to STOP camouflaging the true source of many other diagnoses.
1 out of every 100 children born suffers from life-long challenges and or damages due to prenatal exposure to alcohol while in the womb.
The good news is FASD are the only birth defects that are 100% preventable.
Facts
- FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. FASD is not a diagnosis but an umbrella term for a realm of diagnosis’s caused to a child when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol during any point of her pregnancy.
- Similar to the autism spectrum, a person can fall anywhere within the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum having mild disorders to severe disorders. Many children are misdiagnosed camouflaging the root cause of the symptoms.
- The effects from the exposure to the alcohol can range from learning disabilities, attention disorders, sensory issues, anxiety, behavior problems, mental disorders, neurological disorders, mood disorders, physical abnormalities and it can actually damage the growth structure and function of the brain.
- The most common diagnosis within FASD is FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) or ARND (Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorder).
- FASD are the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States.
- Less than 10% of individuals will live successfully on their own.
- More than 60% of our justice system is affected by FAS.
• FAS will be used to represent any FASD from this point. •
Misconceptions
FAS can be cured. FALSE.
FAS lasts throughout life. The brain is actually affected and in some cases, the brain is actually damaged. An MRI can usually determine any signs of brain damage.
Drugs cause more damage to the baby than alcohol. FALSE.
Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes more permanent damage than any other drug including tobacco, cocaine, marijuana or heroine.
If a baby is born testing positive to alcohol in it’s system, it will go through a withdrawal then it will be okay. FALSE.
If the baby tests positive for alcohol at birth then chances are it was exposed to alcohol throughout pregnancy. The baby will have lifelong effects from the alcohol.
Only women who abuse alcohol or who are addicted to alcohol will have children affected by the alcohol. FALSE.
FASD can affect any child who is exposed to any amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Binge drinking is known to cause significant effects however; one drink can cause damage as well. The damage varies from one child to the next depending on how they metabolize the alcohol not the amount of exposure.
A child will have abnormal physical features if they have FAS. FALSE.
In most cases, the child has to be exposed to alcohol during a 72 hour period around week 28 at which time the facial features are developing in order to have damaged facial features. Some children exposed to alcohol during this time do not possess any physical features at all.
If an OBGYN advises the mother to drink moderately it is okay. FALSE.
Unfortunately, not all physicians are fully educated in FASD. Moderately can also be perceived in many different ways therefore, it’s simply not worth taking the risk. No amount of alcohol has been proven safe during pregnancy.
Its okay to drink a glass of wine or a beer as long as it’s not whisky or stronger. FALSE.
A glass of wine, a 12 oz beer and a shot of liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol.
If the father is drunk during conception, he can cause FAS. FALSE.
FAS occurs when the baby is exposed to alcohol while in the womb and is determined by how the baby metabolizes the alcohol through the blood stream which can only be transferred through the umbilical cord.
Possible Physical Characteristics:
- Low birth weight
- Small size, slow growth, abnormal growth of body parts
- Small head
- Small eyes
- Wider than normal spacing between eyes
- Folds or extra skin in the corner of eyes
- Short, flat nose bridge
- Flat cheeks
- Small jaws
- Unusually shaped ears
- Thin or flat upper lip
- Shaking or tremors
- Sight and hearing problems
- Heart defects
- Small, abnormally formed brain
- Minor joint defects that may restrict movement
- Poor coordination
- Teeth prone to cavities
Possible Behavioral Characteristics:
- Difficulty eating and sleeping
- Delayed speech
- Learning disabilities
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Lower to Normal IQ
- Sensory Disorders
- Seek oral stimulation
- Seizure activity
- Unintentionally dangerous or destructive
- Obsessive/Compulsive
- Mental retardation
- Neurological Disorders
- Behavior problems
- Poor social skills
- Lack of friendships
- Poor ability to control impulses
- Problems getting along with other children
- Problems at school
- Inability to hold a job
- Trouble living independently
- Mental health problems such as Bipolar
- Mood Disorders
- Alcohol or drug dependency
- Sex addictions
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Difficulty controlling anger
- Legal problems
- Lack of judgment
- Lack of understanding consequences
- Difficult to discipline
- Poor concept of time and money
- Vulnerable, naive and anxious
- Poor memory
- On and Off Days – Some days they seem “with it”; some days they seem “out of it”
Mental Illness
There are current studies that indicate that the specific area of the brain that is damaged by the alcohol exposure makes the individual more susceptible to mental disorders such as Bipolar and Schizophrenia. Currently there are over 15 million children in the U.S. suffering from mental disorders.
Sensory Issues
Many individuals with FAS are sensitive to sounds, textures, noises, smells, tastes or other environmental factors. They might seek pain or have abnormal tolerance or understanding to pain. Some might seek oral stimulation as well.
Diagnosis
It is difficult for most doctors to diagnose FAS because of lack of information and lack of research. In some cases, an MRI is used to determine brain structure. A medical doctor has to diagnose FAS. If a baby is born positive to drugs or alcohol then a diagnosis is easier to obtain.
If a birthmother admits to drinking just one drink, it also makes the diagnosis easier. At this time, many mothers are unaware or misinformed of the dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy, therefore; it is important for any mother who is seeking answers for her child to tell the physician if she consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
If the child is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and the medications are not working or cause an adverse effect, it is advisable to seek further evaluation. Most children on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD first and those meds alone do not typically work well on the brain of an FAS child.
A diagnosis is more recognizable if the child has identifiable physical features however once the child hits the late teenage years, the facial structure naturally changes therefore making it harder to identify those features unless very severe. Not all affected individuals have physical features.
The most important thing to remember about a diagnosis is that it is impossible to change the individual but the confirmation will help the family and educators understand how THEY need to change.
If the diagnosis is obtained before the child turns 18, there are also life-long benefits for the child as far as medical insurance and state assistance.
Treatment
In most cases, the individual will need medications to help stabilize mood, behavior, anxiety, attention and/or sleep. It usually takes an understanding and patient doctor. There is almost always trial and error. No two individuals are exactly the same therefore it is rare that treatment can be identical for everyone.
Some families benefit from working with a psychologist and a family therapist.
Educational Factors
The schools need to be well informed on FASD and willing to work with the family and the child. Most children struggle academically because of memory, understanding/comprehension, brain damage, learning disabilities and attention span. They may know a subject one day and the next day it is completely gone. It is usually best if the child has an individual education plan (IEP).
The educators need to also understand that the child is not choosing to forget the material learned nor is the child choosing to be disobedient.
Therapeutic Factors
Individuals that struggle with sensory, anxiety, frustration, anger and coordination benefit from Occupational Therapy, Sensory Therapy, Vision Therapy, Aquatic Therapy and Hippo Therapy.
Prevention
The number one way to prevent FASD is to create awareness on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It is important to educate children as early as the “sex talk”.
Don’t have unprotected sex if you are drinking because pregnancy can occur.
If you see someone drinking while pregnant, confront them. The baby can’t protect itself.
