Viva Vitality: The lowdown on FASD

By Medicine Hat News on December 1, 2017.

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and what supports are available for FASD?

FASD is an umbrella term that describes a range of effects that can occur. FASD is a disorder that is caused by consuming alcohol while pregnant. Sometimes a woman may not know that she is pregnant or sometimes she may struggle with alcohol use. Alcohol use at any point during a pregnancy may cause the fetus to develop differently than expected. FASD can affect anybody from any socio-economic level, cultural background, and age.

Some of the ways that a fetus can develop differently include brain development, central nervous system which can include increased sensitivity to noise, light, scents and touch. Physical changes to the head, face, joints, and internal organs are also common. Often there is brain damage that leads to poor decision making, lack of understanding of action and consequence, poor memory, as well as other cognitive challenges. However, it is important to remember that any part of the body can be affected and that people with FASD often have many physical health issues and not just cognitive or sensory issues.

FASD means that people often struggle with school, life skills, and employment. But, with support they can also be very successful. Alberta Health Services’ First Steps program is one of those supports; the program focuses on the prevention of future alcohol-exposed births. The program works with pregnant women or women who recently had a baby (within the past six months). This program supports women who have used alcohol during their pregnancy. First Steps works with women and children for up to three years helping them make connections in the community, make changes in their life, and set goals for themselves and their children. Women who graduate from the program are often connected to ongoing supports to help them in addictions recovery, family planning and any other ongoing supports they might need.

Often children and adults with FASD need ongoing supports in school, and as adults and this can include Family and Community Support Services and/or Persons with Developmental Disabilities supports to help with decision making and daily life skills. With these supports people can be successful and full participants in our community. Sometimes they just need an understanding employer and community to be successful.