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What is FASD?
How can you help?
It is crucial to understand the vast array of effects
associated with FASD in order for families,
caregivers, community practitioners, child welfare
and schools to be able to provide effective and
quality supports to children and adults with FASD.
• Where there is judgment or blame there is lack of
knowledge.
• Have an open mind to learn about the disorder of
the brain.
• Families/caregivers raising individuals affected with
FASD require proactive, timely, consistent and
non-judgmental support.
• Remove the stigma...alcohol consumption is not
restricted to ethnicity or a certain class of people.
The effects of alcohol on a fetus was not known
and although there has been enormous progress it
still is not common knowledge.
• Offer and maintain a “helpful” approach to women
struggling with addictions, after all addictions are an
illness.
• Get the word out...Do not drink any alcohol if you
are or if there is any possibility of you being pregnant.
There is no safe amount of alcohol consumption
during pregnancy, Increased knowledge about
FASD and its devastating life long effects in turn
will decrease mistreatment, stigmas, increase
understanding and empathy for individuals affected
and their families, hence giving them a better quality
of life.
F = Fetal This identifies the developmental damage occurs in the uterus as a result of alcohol exposure to the fetus.
A = Alcohol This identifies alcohol to be the cause of the damage, it is a
teratogen which has a negative
impact on brain development.
S = Spectrum This identifies that there is a vast array of effects that differs from person to person.
D = Disorder This identifies FASD as a permanent condition that affects a person for life.
FASD is not a clinical diagnosis but rather an umbrella term used to encompass the entire spectrum of all alcohol related disorders that can occur in an individual who has been exposed to alcohol in utero.
Things to consider…
- FASD is often an invisible physical disability, its
effects are on the brain.
- Now recognized as the leading cause of developmental
disability.
- Damage to the brain is usually global and
pervasive.
- Damage is permanent, irreversible and lifelong.
- Proving to be the root source for many social
issues and problems.
- People often have a difficult time understanding
the true disability that accompanies FASD.
- Temptation is to attribute dysfunctional
behaviours to any convenient postnatal event
rather than prenatal trauma.
- Traditional parenting and professional strategies
typically would apply behavioural intervention
(modification) techniques which are usually not
successful due to the learning system being
damaged in people with FASD.
- Successful interventions are specific to the individual
due to the variances of impact, no two situations
are alike.
- Health Canada estimates that the incidence of
FASD is 9 in every 1000 babies being born
affected, 1 to 3 of these having the severe effects
(FAS).
- Studies show that it is estimated to cost at least
$1.4 million in health care, education and social
services per individual.
- FASD is 100% preventable!
