Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause a range of disorders, known
as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). One of the most severe
effects of drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
FAS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental
retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her
pregnancy, her baby can be born with FAS, a lifelong condition that
causes physical and mental disabilities. FAS is characterized by
abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous
system (CNS) problems. People with FAS might have problems with
learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, hearing, or
a combination of these. These problems often lead to difficulties in
school and problems getting along with others. FAS is a permanent
condition. It affects every aspect of an individual’s life and the
lives of his or her family.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) is an umbrella term
describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual
whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects include
physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with
possible lifelong implications. The term FASDs is not intended for
use as a clinical diagnosis.
FASDs include FAS as well as other conditions in which individuals
have some, but not all, of the clinical signs of FAS. Three terms
often used are fetal alcohol effects (FAE), alcohol-related
neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth
defects (ARBD). The term FAE has been used to describe behavioral
and cognitive problems in children who were prenatally exposed to
alcohol, but who do not have all of the typical diagnostic features
of FAS. In 1996, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) replaced FAE with
the terms ARND and ARBD. Children with ARND might have functional or
mental problems linked to prenatal alcohol exposure. These include
behavioral or cognitive abnormalities or a combination of both.
Children with ARBD might have problems with the heart, kidneys,
bones, and/or hearing.
All FASDs are 100% preventable—if a woman does not drink alcohol
while she is pregnant.
FASlink is the Canadian Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome Internet support, information, advocacy and discussion forum.
http://www.acbr.com/fas/
Michigan
Resources, Support Groups, Listservs & Websites
Macomb County Fetal
Alcohol Resource Education and Support (MCFARES) Coalition: c/o Arc Services,
43970 N. Gratiot, Clinton Township, MI 48036; 586-329-6722;
www.MCFARES.org;charisse@mcfares.org
Family Support:
Assists families in learning about FASD, obtaining a diagnosis, linking to
services. Contact Charisse at
charisse@MCFARES.orgfor more information.
Brunch Bunch: Meets
monthly on the 2nd Tuesday in Macomb County (location varies, contact
Charisse@MCFARES.orgfor more information); offers parents the opportunity to speak with other
parents about the challenges and triumphs of raising children affected by FASDs.
Project S.A.F.E.
(Supportive Activities for Everyone): Meets on the last Friday or Saturday of
each month in Macomb County (contact Charisse at
charisse@MCFARES.orgfor more information); families come together for a pot-luck dinner,
supervised play for children and time for adults to enjoy conversation and
support.
Families and Supports
Affected by FASD Yahoo group: (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FaSAFASD/)Yahoo information and support group for families affected by FASD.
(FASD) Families
Supporting Families
Support Group for families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, meets
2nd Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m., CARE offices, 31900 Utica Road, Fraser, MI
48026; contact Shelly Bania, (586)541-0033 x222 or
sbania@careofmacomb.com.
National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Willco Building, 6000 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-7003
Phone: (800) 729-6686
Phone: (888) NIH-NIDA
Web Address:
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov NIAAA provides pamphlets, brochures, and referral information about
alcohol use problems. Information can be obtained by writing or
calling or by printing it from the Web site.
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
216 G Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 785-4585
Fax: (202) 466-6456
E-mail: information@nofas.org
Web Address: http://www.nofas.org This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating birth
defects caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It also is
dedicated to improving the quality of life for those people with fetal
alcohol effects and their families. The NOFAS national information
clearinghouse provides information, resources, and referrals for
people with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. The
organization also publishes a free quarterly newsletter for families
and professionals.
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD),
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: (770) 488-7150
Fax: (770) 488-7361
Web Address:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/default.htm NCBDDD seeks to promote optimal fetal, infant, and child
development; prevent birth defects and childhood developmental
disabilities; and enhance the quality of life and prevent secondary
conditions among children, adolescents, and adults who are living with
a disability. The Web site has a wealth of information on relevant
topics.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Family Resource Institute
P.O. Box 2525
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone: (253) 531-2878
Phone: (800) 999-3429
E-mail:
vicky@fetalalcoholsyndrome.org
Web Address:
http://www.fetalalcoholsyndrome.org The FAS Family Resource Institute is a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to identify, understand, and care for people who have been
affected by fetal exposure to alcohol and their families, and to
prevent FAS in the future. This organization provides a newsletter for
people with FAS and their families, in addition to workshops and
training programs for families and professionals.
MI
Raising Awareness:
Grant to Fight Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Peggy Miller-Zelinko
needs to set a routine for her son, Andrew. When he gets up, when he
takes a shower, when he eats, when he does his school work, even when
he uses the bathroom needs to be predictable. If she doesn't, Andrew,
12, falls apart.
MO
Springfield to Get Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Clinic - The "problem
child" in elementary school is getting early, better therapy these
days, thanks to increased awareness of conditions such as
attention-deficit disorder. But the true diagnosis for unusual
behavior may go overlooked, because medical schools spend little time
on the topic: fetal alcohol syndrome.
