Understanding FASD and Its Impact on Individuals and Families
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a range of effects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. It impacts brain development, behavior, and physical health, affecting each person differently.
What is FASD?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to a range of effects on individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical issues, as well as behavioral and learning challenges due to changes in brain development. The Canadian Guidelines define FASD as a diagnostic term encompassing these effects, known as primary disabilities. These primary disabilities are present at birth and result directly from prenatal alcohol exposure, impacting both physical and cognitive development
What Causes FASD?
Alcohol is a "teratogen" - an environmental substance that can harm the developing baby. Damage can occur in various regions of the brain and anywhere in the body (heart, liver, toes...). The areas that might be affected by alcohol exposure depend on which areas are developing at the time alcohol is consumed. Since the brain and the central nervous system are developing throughout the entire pregnancy, the fetus is always vulnerable to damage from alcohol exposure.
What are the Symptoms of FASD?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to a range of effects on individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical issues, as well as behavioral and learning challenges due to changes in brain development. The Canadian Guidelines define FASD as a diagnostic term encompassing these effects, known as primary disabilities. These primary disabilities are present at birth and result directly from prenatal alcohol exposure, impacting both physical and cognitive development
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (2005), there are an estimated 9 cases of FASD in every 1000 births in Canada. Health Canada reports that FASD is more prevalent than all other major birth defects combined.
Caregiver Support Group
At FASSY, we believe that while you can't fix a person, you can change the environment. Poor outcomes for individuals with FASD and their families don't have to be the usual results - once we know better, we do better.
If you would like to learn ways to work with individuals with FASD, please contact FASSY to order a copy of our Trying Differently: A Guide for Daily Living and Working with FASD. It is a collection of recommended strategies and interventions that have come from parents, caregivers and professionals who live and work with FASD.
To learn more about FASD, please feel free to Contact FASSY or see our FASD Resources page.