1. FASD

2. FASD Break it down… F- Fetal A- Alcohol S- Spectrum D- Disorder
Usually we talk about “FAS” as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but there are other issues involved with this

3. What do you know already?

4. Myths: True or False? FASD affects only children
If a mother has FASD, her children will have it too
Behavioral problems are easily fixed with punishment, discipline, consquences, and just better parenting in general
Kids with FASD also have ADHD, and should just have less sugar to help them focus
People with FASD can’t lead healthy lives
People with FASD are not able to get jobs
Mothers who drink during pregnancy obviously don’t love their babies^

5. Myths: True or False?
Once the mother is in her third trimester, it is okay to have a glass of wine with dinner
Only alcoholics have babies born with FASD
The mother should go to jail for what she has done to her child
Only alcohol can cause problems for brain development in a fetus
If I have most of the problems listed, my mother clearly drank alcohol during pregnancy

6. Cause
Drinking while pregnant

7. Effects- Permanent, Irreversible Brain damage
No cure. Prevention is the only way to solve this problem
Babies born had no control, “it’s not their fault”

9. Disabilities
Though there are some facial characteristics that can sometimes be indicative of FASD, the main problems are invisible, as the brain is what is affected.
Behavior, ability to learn, and decision making are highly impacted

10. Problems with intelligence and learning
Children with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:
mental retardation (IQ below 70); however, most children with FASD have IQs in the normal range
slow learning, short attention span, hyperactivity, or memory problems
learning disabilities, especially with reading, comprehension, and abstract math
delays or lack of abilities in speech and language: for example, the child may have receptive language disorder, interrupt, talk out of context, or chat with no content
lack of executive function skills, including difficulties with organization, planning, and reasoning
inability to manage money, for example by saving and budgeting
inability to understand cause and effect

11. Sensory integration problems
Children with FASD may need more or less stimulation than the average person. This is called a problem with sensory integration. These problems may involve one or more senses, such as:
sensitivity to touch; the child may not be able to tolerate tags in shirts or seams in clothing
seeming to need more touch than other children; for example, the child may need tight hugs or may not seem to feel pain
hating bright lights or noise
noticing smells more than others
being bothered by "every little thing"
These problems may occur in combination. A child with FASD could be hypersensitive to bright lights, but crave deep pressure or touch.

12. Behaviour and mood problems
Babies with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:
irritable, nervous, or sensitive to sound and light
cry often
very quiet and not very responsive
Children with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:
behavioural problems, such as oppositional defiant disorder and aggressive or defiant behaviours
mental illness, such as depression or psychosis
drug and alcohol problems
anger control problems or violence
Poor judgment and the inability to connect an action with its consequences are the hallmarks of FASD. As a result, people with FASD are at high risk for getting in trouble with the law

13. Physical problems delayed growth small height and/or weight
short height as an adult
bone, joint, or muscle problems
hearing problems
repeated ear infections
visual and eye problems
genital defects
heart defects
kidney problems^

14. Stigma/Stereotype *What is a stigma?
-A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person
Ex. People with FASD are going to be criminals, and have anger and social problems.
Ex. People with FASD are unable to learn

15. Support
We need to include, support, and care for people who struggle because they were born with FASD. (Not just tolerate, or ignore)
We need to educate and support mothers so they know not to drink during pregnancy, and to make sure they do not drink if they might be pregnant
Having a strong self-esteem, other activities
Counselling

16. Calgary John Howard Society

17. Why is this still a problem?
Brainstorm

18. Why is this still a problem?
Lack of education (did not know drinking while pregnant causes brain damage)
Women don’t always know they are pregnant
How do you know if you are pregnant?
Cultural norms “I always have a glass of wine with dinner”
Myths “one glass won’t hurt”

19. Further questions
Is it safe to drink alcohol when you are breast-feeding?
What about smoking?
While none of the 4,000-plus chemicals in cigarettes is good for your baby two compounds are especially harmful: nicotine and carbon monoxide.
these reduce a baby's supply of oxygen. Nicotine narrows blood vessels throughout the body, including the ones in the umbilical cord. It's a little like forcing a baby to breathe through a narrow straw
the red blood cells that carry oxygen start to pick up molecules of carbon monoxide instead (again, less oxygen)
Results: premature birth, lower birth weight, (asthma, heart and lung problems, brain development) even stillbirth^