Personally, I believe there is no amount of alcohol that is okay to consume while pregnant. However, I know women that have had the occasional glass of wine throughout their pregnancy (on approval of their doctor). From what I understand there is a level of alcohol that is relatively okay to consume, and not past a certain point.

​

In regard to FASD, I believe that this happens when a woman drinks too much during pregnancy. The impact varies, but I believe at the very least there can be developmental delays, behaviour problems, and sometimes there can be physical features associated with FASD.

- What is the cut off of alcohol, for women, in amount and time during pregnancy?

- How many people have FASD?

- What is the impact in children who have FASD?

- How is FASD diagnosed?

- Are there treatments/strategies for FASD?

Interview with an Educational Assistant:

 

I talked to an EA who went to a Professional Development Day seminar that focused on FASD. The big take-away’s were that there is NO amount of alcohol that is safe for a women to drink while pregnant. That alcohol in any amount at any time, can have an impact on the growing baby. Also, she stated that they were told that the amount of children impacted by FASD is far more than anyone really thought. The prevalence is higher than autism. She said that it will present in different ways across children, and many times hard to diagnose (Interview, Educational Assistant, 2020).

​

What is the cut off of alcohol in amount and time during pregnancy?

​

NO amount of alcohol is okay, at any time. The literature has also shown that impairments in behaviour and function associated with FASD have been detected from exposure to binge drinking, even infrequently or early in pregnancy (CMAJ, Dec. 14, 2015).

​

How many people have FASD

​

FASD is often referred to as the invisible disability. Due to the fact we cannot SEE the disability it often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Also, due to inadequate public education, lack of diagnostic services and inaccurate diagnosis not everyone affected by FASD is properly acknowledged (FASD Waterloo Region, 2020). However, the prevalence has been estimated at 1 in 100 people (1%), which translates to more than 330 000 affected individuals in Canada (CMAJ, Dec. 14, 2015).

​

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is:

​

• A diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a lifelong disability.

• Individuals with FASD will experience some degree of challenges in their daily living, and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach their full potential.

• Each individual with FASD is unique and has areas of both strengths and challenges.

• FASD is a brain-based and therefore, invisible injury. While individuals may share common features, every individual is unique with their own strengths and challenges (FASD One, 2020).

 

Impact of FASD in children

​

• If women drink when they are pregnant, their babies may have brain damage. This means that children and adults who are affected may have a hard time learning and controlling their behaviour.

• For example, they may appear to learn how do to a new task one day, and not remember the next.

• Other common problems include having trouble:

  • adding, subtracting and handling money

  • thinking things through / reasoning

  • learning from experience

  • understanding consequences of their actions

  • remembering things, and

  • getting along with others.

  • (FASD One, 2020)

 

Impact of FASD in adults

• handling money, such as paying rent and buying food

• learning from their experiences and making changes in their behaviour

• understanding consequences of their behaviour, or “cause and effect”

• interacting with other people socially, and

• keeping a job.

• (FASD One, 2020)

​

How is FASD Diagnosed?

​

The medical diagnoses of FASD include:

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Sentinel Facial Features

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder without Sential Facial Features

• These diagnoses need to be made through a multidisciplinary assessment (FASD Waterloo Region, 2020).

 

Other diagnoses of FASD are:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

• partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS)

• alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and

• alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)

• (FASD One, 2020)

 

A 14-member steering committee was formed in September 2012. Members were selected by the Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network based on previous involvement with the 2005 diagnostic guideline, expertise in FASD and expertise in areas requiring specific attention (CMAJ, Dec. 14, 2015). A guideline (see table 1) was developed that provides:

• Recommendations on the screening, referral and support for pregnant or postpartum women and for individuals at risk of FASD

• The medical assessment, including family history, maternal alcohol history, physical examination and differential diagnosis

• The sentinel facial features;

• The neurodevelopmental assessment

• The nomenclature and diagnostic criteria

• The diagnostic team and special considerations in the neurodevelopmental assessment of infants and young children.

• (CMAJ, Dec. 14, 2015).

 

What are treatments and strategies for people with FASD

 

FASD cannot be cured. People live with FASD for their entire life. However, people with FASD can still do very well with helpful supports and services (FASD One, 2020)

​

Programs and supports are available for people diagnosed with FASD, including:

​

Physicians and paediatricians can refer someone to a specialist or they can provide a diagnosis. They will recommend ways to address health care issues, and arrange for medications that are appropriate for the diagnosis and its symptoms, such as: anxiety, and/or attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020).

​

Speech and language pathologists help people develop their verbal and social communication abilities. They can help people:

• speak more clearly

• use words appropriately in phrases or sentences

• improve speech and language delays and weaknesses

• understanding what’s being said to them

• (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020

 

Occupational therapists help teach daily life skills to people with FASD. This helps improve their ability to perform everyday activities. The therapist can help them:

• Work on motor skills

• develop skills to look after themselves (self-care)

• develop memory, and organizational strategies

• improve their social and emotional abilities, including how to: self-calm (or calm down) , increase attention and focus

• (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020

 

Psychologists and psychiatrists treat the emotional, social and psychological challenges that people face. They can help someone with FASD understand how and why they think, feel and behave the way they do. They can also address anxiety, depression, and/or behavioural issues (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020).

 

Physiotherapists help individuals to develop and maintain physical movements (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020).

 

Social workers work with the family or individuals to help understand the impact of FASD on the family. Social workers can provide counselling and help families access financial assistance and connect with community resources (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020)

 

At school, parents and educators can develop an individual education plan (IEP) to help support and structure a child’s learning. The plan will identify the areas in the school curriculum and environment that can be changed or adapted. These changes aim to help a child living with FASD succeed academically (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020).

 

Parents, family members and caregivers, need support and training. There are programs to help them understand more about FASD itself, strategies, and how to help someone living with FASD care for themselves (Government of Canada, FASD, 2020).