Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Characteristics:-Low birth weight-Small head circumference-Failure to thrive-Developmental delays-Organ disfunction-Facial Abnormalities-Epilepsy-Poor coordination/fine motor skills-Poor socialization skills-Lack of imagination or curiosity-Learning difficulties including: poor memory, inability to understand concepts, poor language skills, poor problem solving skills-Behavioral problems such as: hyperactivity, inability to focus, social withdrawal, stubborness, impulsiveness, anxiety

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Life with FAS

Cause: When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it easily passes across the placenta to the fetus. Alcohol harms and alters the baby's development. A pregnant woman who drinks any amount of alcohol is at risk for having a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Larger amounts of alcohol appear to increase the problems under the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.FAS is 100% preventable!

Teacher Strategies:-Be consistent with everything.-Keep things simple.-Be specific.-Use visual aids, music, and hands-on activities.-Use positive reinforcement.-Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Description:Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is seen in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy, and in turn these children have mental and physical deficiences for their entire life. The problems and severities of FAS vary from child to child, but defects caused by FAS are irreversable. They include: facial feature deformities, growth retardation, neurodevelopmental abnormalities, brain damage, and birth defects. It is estimated that in 1 out of every 750 live births, an infant is born with FAS. There are many myths surrounding the development of FAS. Some believe that it's safe to drink alcohol later in pregnancy, that certain types of alcohol are safe, or that drinking alcohol will help increase milk production. All are false. No amount of alcohol has been proven to be safe during pregnancy.

No amount of alcohol is safeduring pregnancy

FAS infant brain (left) Normal infant brain (right)FAS infant brain is not only smaller, but the left side is deformed.