for everyone living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
for everyone living in Ireland with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
for everyone living in Ireland with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Here are a selection of Health related FAQs about Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
I have discovered that I am pregnant. I had an alcoholic drink 3 weeks ago. Will it affect my baby?
Any amount of alcohol consumed at any time during pregnancy will increase the risk of FASD. The best action you can take is to stop drinking alcohol immediately if it is safe for you to do so, and also notify your antenatal practitioner that you consumed alcohol before you were aware of your pregnancy. Please ask your antenatal practitioner to make a note in the pregnancy record about your concerns, as this will be required if a diagnosis of FASD is suspected.
How will I know if my baby has FASD?
It is incredibly difficult to diagnose FASD at birth. With only 10% of babies born with FASD having sentinel facial features, the remainder will start to show behavioural symptoms or characteristics of FASD from the age of 5 and these will be fully recognisable by the age of 10. If you do have concerns before you give birth, then please raise this with your antenatal practitioner or midwife, so that they will know to assess your baby for 'FASD with sentinel facial features' when they are born. Whilst we would like to think this is checked automatically at birth, it may still be overlooked.
What are the symptoms or characteristics of FASD?
FASD is a spectrum, with 428 known co-morbid conditions. These can range from ADHD (70% of diagnosis) to chronic otitis media (66% of diagnosis) to sentinel facial features (10% of diagnosis) and ASD (0.3% of diagnosis). When considering sentinel facial features, it is important to remember that three or more visible features are required to help towards obtaining a diagnosis. A person living with FASD is likely to experience social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) challenges, as well as levels of dysmaturity (chronological age versus their developmental age), so look out for these indicators. More information can be found here.
Is FASD really brain damage?
Alcohol is a teratogen and when consumed, passes the placenta directly to the foetus. Whilst the foetus is growing, many of the organs like kidney and liver are not fully developed. The only organ large enough to be able to process the alcohol is the brain. This is why prenatal alcohol exposure may result in FASD, which is irreversible life long brain damage. Essentially the frontal lobes are significantly affected which will impact executive function - these are: self control, emotional control, task initiation, working memory, consequences (self-monitor), flexibility, planning and time management, and finally organisation skills
What is the life expectancy of a person living with FASD?
We know that people living with FASD have many challenges to overcome, however with the right intervention and support they can go on to live a very fulfilling and long life like any neurotypical person. There has been some research carried out exploring mortality rates of people living with FASD, and the results can be quite disturbing, with some statistics linked to suicide. These statistics are extremely indicative of the lack of intervention and support, as well as lifestyle in the countries where the research was carried out. It is important to remember that early diagnosis, intervention and support from everyone around the person living with FASD is key to helping someone enjoy a full life.
Can a person living with FASD consume alcohol?
Alcohol will affect each person living with FASD differently, however it is recognised that alcohol will have a greater impact on judgment. One or two drinks for a person with FASD is likely the equivalent of six drinks for a neuro-typical person.
I hear about sexualised behaviours of someone living with FASD, should I be concerned?
Due to the range of cognitive, social and adaptive functioning challenges which many people with FASD experience, it is common for people living with FASD to struggle to comprehend nonverbal cues, understand social boundaries, control impulses, and find ways to express sexual desires in a healthy way. There is limited research in this area, but recommendations include sexual education tailored to the needs and capabilities of each individual. Cognitive impairments coupled with a desire to fit in and please others can leave people with FASD vulnerable to manipulation and to becoming victims of sexual abuse.
