Culture, Alcohol Use and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 1

What is Culture? First Question……. 2

How does alcohol use vary in different cultures? Second Question………… 3

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Third Question….. 4

These are the questions we will be covering today 5

Culture is…………… 6

Webster’s Dictionary The concepts, habits, skills, art, instruments, institutions, etc. of a given people in a given period; civilization 7

Culture can be……. The culture of a family The culture of a town The culture of a state The culture of a region The culture of country The blending of cultures The culture of our current time The culture of our current age 8

Alcohol Use Drinking Alcohol is common around the world. Except where prohibited by religion, is the norm rather than the exception. In the US about 2/3 of adult population drink alcohol to some extent according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. 9

Alcohol Use For the overwhelming majority of those who drink alcoholic beverages, this behavior has no health, personal or social consequences. 10

Alcohol Use Until an individual drives drunk Drinking becomes excessive Drinking becomes uncontrollable A woman drinks when pregnant 11

Alcohol Use Countries that have the highest rates of per capita alcohol consumption also have the high rates of alcohol-related problems including FASD 12

Alcohol Use What Country has the highest rate of drinking Alcohol per capita? 13

Alcohol Use United States 14

FAS What state has the highest number of people with FAS? 15

FAS ◦ALASKA 16

FAS FAS is characterized by brain damage, facial deformities, and growth deficits. Heart, liver, and kidney defects also are common, as well as vision and hearing problems. Individuals with FAS have difficulties with learning, attention, memory, and problem solving. 17

FAS Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a set of physical and mental birth defects that can result when a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, such as beer, wine, or mixed drinks, so does her baby. Alcohol passes through the placenta right into the developing baby. The baby may suffer lifelong damage as a result. 18

FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. 19

FASD FASD covers other terms such as: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) - the only diagnosis given by doctors. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) - reserved for individuals with functional or cognitive impairments linked to prenatal alcohol exposure, including decreased head size at birth, structural brain abnormalities, and a pattern of behavioral and mental abnormalities Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD) - describes the physical defects linked to prenatal alcohol exposure, including heart, skeletal, kidney, ear, and eye malformations Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) - a term that has been popularly used to describe alcohol-exposed individuals whose condition does not meet the full criteria for an FAS diagnosis 20

Canadian Program Whitecrow Village FASD Society Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Understanding & Prevention WHITECROW VILLAGE FASD SOCIETY is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to educating communities and professionals about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and to improving the lives of those who are affected by this prominent neurodevelopmental disability.Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder FASD affects all facets of society and reaches across all social and professional domains. It transcends cultural and economic diversities, and is reported to be the highest occurring birth defect in North America (topping Muscular Dystrophy, HIV Infection, Spina Bifida, and Down Syndrome). Health Canada estimates that 9 out of every 1000 babies born have FASD, and that one child with FAS is born every day in Canada. Without proper support and understanding, persons with FASD are at risk for many secondary disabilities including drug and alcohol addictions, trouble with the law, unemployment, poverty, homelessness, depression, and suicide. FASD Whitecrow Village is for and about community. Our programs offer a model for a way of life and a way of being with one another. Wherever and whenever we come together, we create a place where regardless of age, color, gender, social class, disability or ability, sexual preference, religious persuasion, and all other things that have been used to divide and create disharmony among peoples throughout history each person has equal value and belonging. Each voice is heard; as each completes our circle. 21

Minnesota Program FASD Impacts Us All. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is caused when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is common. It is costly. And it is 100% preventable. Since 1998, the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) has been the hub of hope for individuals and families affected by FASD. MOFAS is the statewide organization serving as the leading voice and resource on FASD in Minnesota - standing up for the rights of the FASD community, providing education and training so FASD is better understood and working to ensure that all women know that there is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. We invite you to browse our site to learn about the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS). Share in our vision of celebrating alcohol-free pregnancies. And help us prevent FASD. 22

South Africa Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – Statistics in South Africa: According to scientific studies, South Africa has the highest reported incidence of FAS in the world. In some areas up to 12.2% (122 babies in 1000) of babies are born with FAS – a problem of national proportions if compared to the statistic of 12% of adults with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The prevalence of FAS in countries such as America varies from 0.1 to 0.8%, whereas in South Africa FAS is as high as 12.2% in high risk areas. The prevalence rate of Fetal Alcohol Exposure is far higher than the recorded FAS rate (between three to five times higher.) Thus 50 – 70% individuals were prenatally damaged with tragic and dire consequences for all communities in South Africa. then go to You Tube…..a must see! It Takes a Village 23

The Arc of Rowan Why does The Arc of Rowan care about FAS and FASD? 24

The Arc of Rowan FASD is a 100% preventable cause of Intellectual and Development Disabilities 25

Links for FASD 26

The Arc of Rowan About The Arc of Rowan……. List of our current programs 27

The Arc of Rowan ◦ Contact Information The Arc of Rowan 1918 W. Innes Street Salisbury, NC