Would you like to do a report or presentation about FAS/FAE? Were you thinking of writing to me asking for information about FAS? No! It's all here at this site. Be sure to check out all the links at the bottom of the main FAS page.
Still want more help? Well, how would you like to have MY notes that I use in my presentation? The only thing I ask is that you include "Rosie" and "The Beat Goes On" in your presentation or report and that you do give me credit for those two articles. I also strongly suggest that you use the fact sheet from NOFAS, which has well documented statistics. Teachers like that.
Then challenge your friends to the alcohol test from the FAS 101 Assessment. This is different from the FAS QUIZ on the main page.
Okay, here are my notes, exactly the ones I use in my presentations...
FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME - presentation by Teresa Kellerman
All data comes from trusted sources, like March of Dimes, National Institute of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Council on Alcohol/Drug Dependecy, The Arc, and National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).
Each year about 500,000 babies are born exposed to drugs prenatally. Of these babies, 5% are exposed to cocaine, 17% are exposed to marijuana, and 73% are exposed to alcohol. Babies born with drugs in their system experience "Neonatal Withdrawal Syndrome" with symptoms which may last for weeks or even months. One exception is that babies born to alcoholic mothers suffer symptoms that never go away.
Marijuana may cause lower birth weight. Cocaine may obstruct the flow of oxygen to the baby and cause miscarriage or mild stroke. Most of the mothers who use cocaine also abuse alcohol.(FAS)
About 20% of women drink while pregnant. White women are more likely to drink during pregnancy. 23% of white mothers drink, compared to 16% of African Americans and 9% of Mexican Americans.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, "FAS," is a group of birth defects resulting from a woman's drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Babies with FAS are very small when they are born and continue to be smaller than average throughout life. Physical symptoms of FAS include certain facial features; problems with organs such as heart defects, crossed eyes, and joint problems; and they suffer damage to the central nervous system, resulting in mental retardation, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and behavior problems.
FAE, which means Fetal Alcohol Effects, is a term for alcohol related birth defects (sometimes referred to as ARBD) that may include some but not all of the symptoms of FAS. A child with FAE may be normal mentally and physically, but still have lots of the other problems like hyperactivity and behavior problems. Children with FAE may have more difficulties in life than children with all the symptoms of FAS because they look normal but they can't behave normally.
In the U.S. every year 5,000 babies are born with FAS - 50,000 with alcohol related birth defects (Marcho f Dimes).
FAS IS THE LEADING KNOWN CAUSE OF MENTAL RETARDATION IN THE NATION TODAY (American Medical Association)
The facial characteristics of a baby with FAS usually include:
The early recognition of FAS symptoms and diagnosis by a trained medical professional can be the first step to getting the child needed services such as speech therapy, physical therapy and special assistance in school.
Babies with FAS usually are behind in development, have trouble eating and sleeping, and are overly sensitive to noises and may not cuddle or like to be held. They may be irritable and cry a lot.
Children with alcohol related birth defects may be playful, friendly and affectionate, but as they grow older they may behave in ways that seem inappropriate or immature for their age. They have difficulty learning and remembering because of the disruption to their brain development. They are usually hyperactive and suffer from attention deficit disorder (ADHD).
They usually do not learn from consequences and are impulsive and show poor judgment. They may not easily understand abstract concepts, such as time or money. They are often misunderstood because others expect them to act as mature as they look. But often their behavior is out of their control. Children with FAS may have unusual talents in music or art, and may be verbally expressive.
As teenagers, they may experience frustration with their lack of self-control and inability to learn and fit in. They show poor judgment and tend to go along with the crowd, even if it's the wrong crowd. They have trouble in school, in relationships, and in jobs. They are aware of the negative reactions of others to their inappropriate behavior, and as a result they may suffer from poor self-esteem and become depressed.
People with FAS tend to be friendly and affectionate. The combination of immature emotional development with normal physical development can result in problems with inappropriate sexual behavior. Without intervention, many of these young people may turn to alcohol or substance abuse or crime and may end up in prison or living in institutions. People with alcohol related birth defects need understanding, intervention, and continued supervision and support in order to enjoy success in life.
More than 30% of babies born to alcoholic mothers sustain enough damage from prenatal exposure to alcohol to be diagnosed with the full syndrome.
More than 10% of babies born to moderate drinkers sustain significant damage from prenatal exposure to alcohol. That is like playing Russian Roulette with your baby's health.
There are NO safe levels of maternal drinking.
As little as one drink a day can cause the baby harm. Even binge drinking can interfere with the baby's normal development. The more a woman drinks, the greater the risk of damage to the baby. The sooner the woman stops drinking, the better it is for the baby. 4 ounces of wine = 12 ounces of beer = 1.2 ounces of liquor= 12 oz. wine cooler.
All contain about 1/2 oz. absolute alcohol.
Alcohol is a tiny molecule that can pass easily from the mother through the placenta into the cells of the baby's developing brain and organs.
Alcohol can kill developing brain cells, can slow down growth of the brain, and causes tangles of the neural connections in the brain.
FAS is only caused by the mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy. However, a man's drinking may have an effect on his ability to father healthy children. The man's drinking can have three possible effects. First, his drinking during adolescence may alter the DNA (the genetic material) of his sperm cells. Later, his drinking can interfere with his ability to produce healthy sperm at the time of conception, and may have negative effects on a subsequent child, such as behavior or learning problems.
Alcohol is a psychotropic drug (a mind-altering drug) in the class of depressants along with barbiturates, tranquilizers and Quaaludes. Alcohol has no nutritional value. It is a toxin, that's why they say a person is "intoxicated" when the person has had too much to drink.
Someone might ask:
"If alcohol is a toxin, why does it make me feel good when I drink?"
Good question!
Alcohol deadens the left side of your brain (the logical, rational, serious part of your brain) and the right side of the brain (the creative, fun, spontaneous, impulsive side) becomes more active, producing a feeling of being "high."
When the left brain is deadened, a person may feel ok, but it is harder to show good judgment or think about the conse-quences of actions. Many people do things after they've had a few drinks that they would not do when sober. Alcohol is a major factor behind academic failure, suicide, car accidents, domestic violence and other crimes.
A woman's choice to drink during pregnancy may be due to lack of information about the effects of alcohol on the developing baby. Or she may have a problem with alcohol addiction. Sometimes women drink during pregnancy as a way of dealing with stress or to cope with problems. Many women drink because others around them drink - husband or family members or friends. Our behavior is strongly influenced by the behaviors and values of those we are close to.
A pregnant woman's lifestyle affects the development of her baby. Both social and problem drinking present considerable risks to pregnant women. Unfortunately, we live in a high-risk society. Alcohol is shown as desirable in every public medium, from radio and TV to magazines, books, and movies. We grow up brainwashed to consider alcohol a part of our lives, if we control it. But, controlled or not, alcohol causes mental retardation and other birth defects. For pregnant women, a lifestyle that includes alcohol becomes a "deathstyle."
Remember, 9 months of drinking by the mother can mean a life-time hangover for the child.
There is no cure for FAS. But . . .
Alcohol related birth defects are 100% preventable.
FAS is the nation's #1 preventable birth defect.
The institutional and medical costs for one child with FAS are $1.4 million over a lifetime.
Alcohol related birth defects cost U.S. taxpayers $321 million each year.
What can YOU do to help prevent FAS?
Fantastic Antone Succeeds! Kleinfeld, J.M., Wescott, S. (Eds.), 1993, University of Alaska Press, (907)474-6389.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects: Strategies for Professionals by Diane Malbin, Hazelden, (800)328-9000.
Preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Other Alcohol-Related Birth Defects: Teacher's Manual. Order #20-4, The Arc, 500 E. Border St., Su. 300, Arlington, TX 76010, (817)261-6003.
Understanding the Occurrence of Secondary Disabilities in Clients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), Final Report, August 1996, Anne Streissguth et al, University of Washington School of Medicine, Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, Seattle, WA (206)543-7155.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS), (202)785-4585, (800)66-NOFAS.
Family Empowerment Network: Support for Families Affected by FAS/FAE, Madison, WI (800)462-5254, (608)262-6590.
The Arc, 500 E. Border St., Su. 300, Arlington, TX 76010, (800)252-9054.
Fasstar Enterprises, for training and workshops on FAS disorders. Visit www.fasstar.com.