Friday, October 22, 2010

Parenting a Child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is neither clearly a developmental disability or a mental health issue; but a physical disability with typical attributes of both mental health and developmental disability.


One of the frequently direct results of FAS is poor impulse control. Currently there are societies in this world where it is estimated at as much as 10% of the children have FAS. Can you imagine what it would be like to have a society with 10% of its population with poor impulse control?

While there are typical facial features of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, other aspects of the syndrome, including the poor impulse control can be present without the facial features.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is causes by a mother drinking alcohol while she is pregnant. The damage to the new baby depends on the amount of alcohol the mother drinks and the developmental stage of her unborn baby. A larger amount of alcohol consumed one week, may cause less damage than a small amount just a few weeks later. Any alcohol consumption by a pregnant mother is like playing Russian roulette with her baby.

Like with many disorders, there are varying degrees of severity with a less sever form sometimes being called Fetal Alcohol Effect. While this disorder, especially in its most severe forms is very difficult to treat, it is not entirely impossible to at least ameliorate some of the symptoms.

Supplemental Materials:

Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse & Addictions (CASAA)
http://casaa.unm.edu/index.html
At one time, CASAA had the foremost experts in treating FAS, they may still have.

College Drinking, Changing the Culture
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the BRAIN
http://www.come-over.to/FAS/FASbrain.htm

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
http://www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/

Fetal Alcohol Effects
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/g/FAE.htm

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