What is FASD?
FASD is…
FASD or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is an umbrella term for a wide spectrum of conditions caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol including birth defects, brain injury, and physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. FASD is lifelong and irreversible.
Contrary to common thought, the ingestion of alcohol during pregnancy can cause FASD at any time during the pregnancy, even at low doses. The CDC recommends that no type or amount of alcohol is safe at any time during pregnancy. This includes very early pregnancy, prior to a person even knowing they have become pregnant.
FASD is considered an “invisible disability.” While the small percentage of individuals on the FASD spectrum who have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or FAS do have distinct facial features, they may be no more or less impacted than another person who does not share the facial features but carries a diagnosis of pFAS or ARND which also fall under the FASD umbrella. In fact, the facial features associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome only occur if prenatal alcohol exposure occurs during a very small window of pregnancy. The damage alcohol can do lasts throughout the pregnancy.
Individuals with FASD may struggle with learning and memory, following directions, controlling emotions and impulsivity, communicating and socializing, performing daily life skills, including feeding, bathing, counting money, telling time, and minding personal safety
FASD-related brain damage makes it difficult to address routine life situations. It can cause people to make bad decisions, repeat the same mistakes, trust the wrong people, and have difficulty understanding the consequences of their actions.
The good news is that FASD is highly preventable. FASD can be prevented by not drinking any alcohol during pregnancy.
For more information on FASD, check out the following resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/index.html
https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/fetal-alcohol-exposure