Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Kosta Leontarakis
HLTH 401_02: Teaching of Health
FYI
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In 1981 the Surgeon General first advised that women should not drink alcoholic
beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.
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Public law 100-690 was implemented in 1989, requiring warning labels on all
alcoholic beverages sold in the United States.
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Since 1990 the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have stated that women who are
pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not drink alcohol.
FASD & FAS
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FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. This is not a diagnostic term, but
is an umbrella term that encompasses all disabilities caused by prenatal exposure
to alcohol. There are five diagnoses under the FASD umbrella:
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) without confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure
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Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS)
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Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)
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Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
Signs and Symptoms
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low birth weight
small head circumference
failure to thrive
developmental delay
organ dysfunction
facial abnormalities, including smaller eye openings, flattened cheekbones, and
indistinct philtrum (an underdeveloped groove between the nose and the upper lip)
epilepsy
poor coordination/fine motor skills
poor socialization skills, such as difficulty building and maintaining friendships and
relating to groups
lack of imagination or curiosity
learning difficulties, including poor memory, inability to understand concepts such as
time and money, poor language comprehension, poor problem-solving skills
behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social
withdrawal, stubbornness, impulsiveness, and anxiety
Why Drink While Pregnant!?
Most Common Reasons Why Pregnant
Woman Drink…
• Women may be unaware that they are pregnant; therefore, continue
drinking only to realize when it is too late, and the damage has already
been done.
• Alcohol use may be the social norm; thus, the woman may not realize the
health risks drinking poses to their unborn children.
• Women may know other women who drank during pregnancy and who
have children who appear healthy. As a result, such women do not
appreciate the mental problems in children that stem out of drinking
during pregnancy.
• Women may not know how much harm alcohol can cause. A night of binge
drinking during pregnancy can cause serious damage.
• Women may drink alcohol so as to cope harsh life situations such as
violence, poverty, isolation, despair and/ or depression
• Women may be struggling with addiction
Activity
• Locate the letter in your packet from a child with
FASD that correlates with your group number.
• Read the letter with your group members.
• Does the child mention any of his/her symptoms?
• How is this child effected? Physically/Mentally?
Emotionally?
• How is this child’s life different as a result of
having FAS?
• Summarize your letter and report your findings to
the class.
Lesson Closure, Can you…
• Name three symptoms of FAS?
• Name some reasons why mother’s drink while
pregnant?
• Tell me how FAS can be prevented? (Yes, it’s a
VERY simple answer!!)
Works Cited
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . (n.d.).
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved
February 22, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxy3qoKD0I8
Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, 2.4 Human Relationships and
Sexuality All students will acquire knowledge about the physical, emotional, and
social aspects of human relationships and sexuality and apply these concepts to
support a healthy, ac. (n.d.). The Official Web Site for The State of New Jersey.
Retrieved February 22, 2012, from
http://www.state.nj.us/education/cccs/standards/2/2-4-C.htm
Hicks, M., & Tough, S. (n.d.). Medscape: Medscape Access. Medscape: Medscape
Access. Retrieved February 22, 2012, from
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/709436
Hunter, S. (n.d.). EGG EXPERIMENT – FASD .wmv | Fetal Alchohol Syndrome.
Fetal alcohol syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects. Retrieved February 22, 2012,
from http://www.fetalalcoholsyndromehelp.com/?p=966
Watson, S. (n.d.). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Special Education. Retrieved
February 22, 2012, from http://specialed.about.com/od/disabilities/a/fas2.htm