What is FASD?

Simply put, FASD is caused when baby is exposed to alcohol in the womb.

Alcohol readily crosses the placenta and may disrupt fetal development. Harm from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is determined by the dose, pattern, timing and duration of exposure, fetal and maternal genetics, maternal nutrition, concurrent substance use, and epigenetic responses. A safe dose of alcohol use during pregnancy has not been established.

Source: canfasd.ca

FASD is a spectrum disorder, so it affects people in different ways. This means that each person with FASD will have their own unique strengths and challenges.

Individuals with FASD are known for having a number of different strengths, including being friendly, likeable, affectionate, determined, hard-working, forgiving, non-judgmental and caring. They also may experience challenges with learning, memory, attention, language, social skills, motor skills, reasoning and judgement, behaviour, and/or academic achievement and they will need specialized supports to help them succeed in these areas.

In everyday life, these challenges may look like:

• being impulsive

• not understanding consequences

• being unfocused and easily distracted

• difficulties keeping up with classroom learning

• challenges handling money

• challenges learning how to tell time

• forgetting how to do something they’ve done before

• having trouble staying organized and planning ahead

Each individual will experience different challenges, and their challenges may differ depending on where they are in their life. The signs and symptoms of FASD can overlap with a number of different developmental disorders, which can make diagnosing FASD very difficult.

Early recognition and diagnosis are key to getting effective supports to improve outcomes for individuals with FASD.

Source: canfasd.ca

A father’s drinking habits can make a fetus more vulnerable to Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and can contribute to FASD. Fathers can have an important influence on mothers’ drinking habits and the healthy development of their babies.  Alcohol consumption in fathers has been associated with:

• Higher levels of alcohol consumption in mothers during pregnancy

• Babies born earlier and weighing less

• Lower success rates in assisted reproductive treatments, like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)

• Higher rates of malformations and abnormal brain development in infants

We recommend that both fathers and mothers stop drinking alcohol if they are trying to get pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.

Source: canfasd.ca

Unfortunately, FASD cannot be cured. People live with FASD for their entire life.

However, people with FASD can still do very well with helpful supports and services. Some examples include special education, vocational programs, tutors, structured environments, and lifelong care.

Source: canada.ca

• FASD impacts approximately 4% of Canadians.

• FASD impacts more people in Canada than Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and Down syndrome combined.

• Individuals with FASD are known for having a number of different strengths, including being friendly, likeable, affectionate, determined, hard-working, forgiving, non-judgmental and caring.

• 90% of individuals with FASD also experience mental health issues.

• The social and economic cost of FASD in Canada is estimated to be $1.8 billion annually.

• Individuals with FASD achieve positive outcomes if their needs and challenges are addressed early on in life and they have access to supports that carry into adulthood.

Source: canfasd.ca

You cannot tell if someone has FASD from looking at them. There are also no specific medical tests, like a blood test, that can tell us. In order to determine if someone has FASD they must be diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team of experts.

In a very small percentage of cases (<10%), individuals with FASD will have visible facial differences. However, these facial differences are relatively rare and have little to no impact on day to day function. They are not an indication of the degree of challenges someone may face.

Source: canfasd.ca

The assessment process involves meeting with a diagnostic team made up of several different professionals, including a pediatrician, psychologist, speech language pathologist, social worker, occupational therapist, and clinic coordinator.

Follow this link to learn more about the diagnostic process.

If you live in the rural area surrounding Calgary and are concerned your child has FASD, you can contact our office directly at 403-652-4776 or general@foothillsfas.com to learn more about our pediatric assessment and diagnosis clinic.

If you live in the Calgary area and are concerned you or a member of your family has FASD, you can contact the ConnectFASD line at 1-866-601-FASD (3273) or connectfasd.ca.

For a list of clinics in Alberta, click here.

If you are wondering if FASD could be affecting your family, reach out or talk to your health care provider about getting a referral to a number of different diagnostic clinics across Canada.

There is no known safe amount, type, or time to consume alcohol during pregnancy. Experts agree that the safest option is not to drink alcohol if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.

Source: canfasd.ca

No, FASD is not hereditary.

The only way someone can get FASD is if they were prenatally exposed to alcohol.

Alcohol causes brain damage in the developing baby. THERE IS NO SAFE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY. There is also no safe TIME to drink alcohol during pregnancy.

There is no gene for FASD! This means that someone who has FASD will not pass it on to their child if they do not drink when they are pregnant.

Source: canada.ca

FASD can be caused only by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. But, if you drink alcohol while breastfeeding, alcohol passes into the breast milk and the baby drinks it. The baby's brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) continue to grow after birth, and can be affected by alcohol. Studies show that alcohol in breast milk interferes with the mother's milk production and causes babies to eat less and to sleep less.

Breastfeeding mothers who choose to drink alcohol after giving birth should carefully plan a feeding schedule. They could do this by pumping and storing milk before drinking and/or waiting until all of the alcohol is out of their bodies before breastfeeding.

Source: canada.ca

If you believe you may be living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), it is essential to seek support and guidance from healthcare professionals and supportive organizations, like Foothills Fetal Alcohol Society.

Reaching out for help can be a crucial step in understanding your unique strengths and challenges and finding the necessary resources to navigate daily life. By acknowledging the presence of FASD and seeking assistance, individuals can access tailored support, such as educational strategies, counseling, and community programs, to enhance their strengths and overall well-being.

It's important to recognize that individuals with FASD possess a wide range of strengths that can be nurtured and celebrated. While challenges associated with FASD may be present, focusing on strengths can lead to greater self-awareness and improved self-esteem. By connecting with support networks, individuals can identify their strengths, such as creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives, and explore strategies to harness these abilities in various areas of their lives. Embracing and highlighting strengths can empower individuals living with FASD to build confidence, pursue personal goals, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.