What is FASD?

The term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has evolved from the early term 'Fetal Alcohol Syndrome' which was used to describe children who had three distinctive facial features and who later had problems with development and learning. Since 2000 clinicians and researchers have recognised that many children will not have these facial features, but will have severe neurodevelopmental impairments which result in difficulties with physical activities, language, memory, learning and development.

• FASD occurs in all parts of Australian society where alcohol is consumed
• The effects may not be seen at birth
• Although 'fetal' implies it only relates to babies, FASD has lifelong consequences and can be diagnosed in children, youth and adults
• FASD is a social issue not just a medical condition
• No level of maternal alcohol consumption at any time during pregnancy can be guaranteed to be completely 'safe' or 'not risk' for the developing fetus - the brain continues to develop throughout pregnancy
• Although only some people will have the facial features associated with FASD, most will not. However, all people with FASD will have damage to different parts of the brain
• The personal costs to people living with FASD and their families are enormous

Impairments associated with FASD can include:

• developmental delay
• low IQ - only a small percentage of people will have an 'Intellectual Disability' (IQ <70) ... most will register at the lower end of normal. But a low IQ indicates a degree of cognitive impairment
• poor language and communication skills - may seem competent and agree but not understand
• slow cognitive and auditory pace
• poor memory and short attention span
• poor judgement and inability to understand cause and effect
• repeating the same actions or behaviours in the absence of a rationale for that behaviour or emotion
• poor organisational and planning skills
• difficulty with abstract concepts
• problems with maths, time and money
• impaired judgement and impulsivity
• emotional - irritability, angry, frustrated, immature
• sensory problems - noise, lighting, pain, cold
• motor co-ordination problems
• difficulty sleeping
• high levels of activity
• social and behavioural problems
• difficulty forming and maintaining relationships and sometimes being indiscriminately friendly

Although supports and services may have been provided, not all will be successful. Some people will struggle more than others and despite all the best efforts, for some problems will be ongoing throughout childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.  Impairments can lead to:

• issues at school and other education facilities (as a result of problems with inattention, maths, memory and lower IQ)
• multiple foster care placements
• reduced self-esteem and depression
• social exclusion and vulnerability
• inappropriate sexual behaviour (victim and perpetrator)
• problems with alcohol and other drugs
• difficulty planning, setting goals, being on time and complying with child protection or legal obligations
• inability to live independently
• unemployment
• poverty
• trouble with the law