The Online Alaska
Pioneer Press
Pioneer Press
Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorder
By Rhonda Kidd
SPECIAL TO THE PIONEER PRESS
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are permanent birth defects caused by exposure to
alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the more recognized medical
diagnosis. All children with disorders from prenatal exposure to alcohol have FASD, but
only one out of every 10 children with FASD will get a diagnosis of FAS.
Nine out of every 10 children who have FASD may not get a diagnosis of FAS but may
have the same brain damage, neurological symptoms and behavioral challenges as
children with full FAS. This is because the FAS diagnosis is determined by:
• a set of facial features that are only present if a mother drank alcohol on the 19th,or
20th day of pregnancy;
• a growth deficiency that is caused by exposure during the very beginning or very end
of pregnancy;
• and evidence of alteration in brain functioning and neurological disorders (which can be
caused at any time during pregnancy.
What is so important about what occurs when the body is first learning how to be a body
and the brain is learning the vast majority what it would know about being a brain?
Everything that goes into a woman’s body during pregnancy (and throughout
breastfeeding) is written into the cellular makeup of our children. This time is their period
of greatest learning and most rapid growth, as well as their time of greatest vulnerability.
These are just some of many facts about prenatal exposure to alcohol available to us
parents today that were not available to our parents. There must be changes for this
generation.
Sensory problems may cause intolerance to integration of bright lights, sounds, smells,
temperature, taste, touch and emotions. This may overload the brain, causing behavioral
outbursts, meltdowns, rages or complete shutdown. Sensory problems may cause
difficulties with socialization, as well as difficulties with time, money, volatility and
dealing with unstructured free time.
Most infants with FASD are irritable, have trouble sleeping and eating, are sensitive to
sensory stimulation and have a strong startle reflex. Infants may hyperextend their heads,
arms or legs due to too much or too little muscle tone, or have serious problems with
digestive disorders and constipation as well. Some infants may have defects of the ears,
eyes, liver, heart, kidney, bladder or joints.
The most serious characteristics of FASD are the invisible symptoms of neurological
damage from prenatal exposure. Some of the symptoms that persist into adulthood are:
• Attention deficits,
• Memory deficits,
• Hyperactivity,
• Low self-esteem,
• Difficulty with abstract concepts,
• Inability to manage money,
• Poor problem-solving skills,
• Difficulty learning from consequences,
• Immature social/emotional behavior,
•Inappropriately friendly
to strangers,
• Lack of control over emotions,
• Poor impulse control,
• Poor judgment,
• Eating/sleeping disorders,
• Depression,
• Suicide,
• Confusion between make-believe and reality,
• Seeking intense, dangerous activities for thrills,
• Poorly-developed conscience,
• Excelled or slow speech and language development,
• Inappropriate social interactions,
• Hallucinations,
• Poor concept of time,
• Over exaggeration of things,
• Unrealistic life goals or self-image,
• Easily influenced or manipulated by others (or vice-versa),
• Sensory integration problems,
• Substance abuse and sexual curiosity at a very early age.
Anyone who thinks that their child may be affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol can
have them confidentially tested in a non-judgmental environment by contacting Theresa
Sprague at 352-1200.
Spectrum Disorder
By Rhonda Kidd
SPECIAL TO THE PIONEER PRESS
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are permanent birth defects caused by exposure to
alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the more recognized medical
diagnosis. All children with disorders from prenatal exposure to alcohol have FASD, but
only one out of every 10 children with FASD will get a diagnosis of FAS.
Nine out of every 10 children who have FASD may not get a diagnosis of FAS but may
have the same brain damage, neurological symptoms and behavioral challenges as
children with full FAS. This is because the FAS diagnosis is determined by:
• a set of facial features that are only present if a mother drank alcohol on the 19th,or
20th day of pregnancy;
• a growth deficiency that is caused by exposure during the very beginning or very end
of pregnancy;
• and evidence of alteration in brain functioning and neurological disorders (which can be
caused at any time during pregnancy.
What is so important about what occurs when the body is first learning how to be a body
and the brain is learning the vast majority what it would know about being a brain?
Everything that goes into a woman’s body during pregnancy (and throughout
breastfeeding) is written into the cellular makeup of our children. This time is their period
of greatest learning and most rapid growth, as well as their time of greatest vulnerability.
These are just some of many facts about prenatal exposure to alcohol available to us
parents today that were not available to our parents. There must be changes for this
generation.
Sensory problems may cause intolerance to integration of bright lights, sounds, smells,
temperature, taste, touch and emotions. This may overload the brain, causing behavioral
outbursts, meltdowns, rages or complete shutdown. Sensory problems may cause
difficulties with socialization, as well as difficulties with time, money, volatility and
dealing with unstructured free time.
Most infants with FASD are irritable, have trouble sleeping and eating, are sensitive to
sensory stimulation and have a strong startle reflex. Infants may hyperextend their heads,
arms or legs due to too much or too little muscle tone, or have serious problems with
digestive disorders and constipation as well. Some infants may have defects of the ears,
eyes, liver, heart, kidney, bladder or joints.
The most serious characteristics of FASD are the invisible symptoms of neurological
damage from prenatal exposure. Some of the symptoms that persist into adulthood are:
• Attention deficits,
• Memory deficits,
• Hyperactivity,
• Low self-esteem,
• Difficulty with abstract concepts,
• Inability to manage money,
• Poor problem-solving skills,
• Difficulty learning from consequences,
• Immature social/emotional behavior,
•Inappropriately friendly
to strangers,
• Lack of control over emotions,
• Poor impulse control,
• Poor judgment,
• Eating/sleeping disorders,
• Depression,
• Suicide,
• Confusion between make-believe and reality,
• Seeking intense, dangerous activities for thrills,
• Poorly-developed conscience,
• Excelled or slow speech and language development,
• Inappropriate social interactions,
• Hallucinations,
• Poor concept of time,
• Over exaggeration of things,
• Unrealistic life goals or self-image,
• Easily influenced or manipulated by others (or vice-versa),
• Sensory integration problems,
• Substance abuse and sexual curiosity at a very early age.
Anyone who thinks that their child may be affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol can
have them confidentially tested in a non-judgmental environment by contacting Theresa
Sprague at 352-1200.
The home base for your Alaskan Adventure in the heart of Talkeetna. 907-733-8500 E-mail us here P.O Box 353, Talkeetna, AK 99676 |
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