Alcohol & Pregnancy
Thousands of Colorado families are impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), a term used to describe a range of effects that can occur in a fetus exposed to alcohol before birth.
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People living with an FASD can reach 100% of their potential.
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FASD are 100% preventable.
What is FASD?
FASD is not a diagnostic term, but an umbrella term intended to encompass all the diagnostic categories designated by the Institute of Medicine. Diagnoses under the FASD umbrella include:
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
- Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS)
- Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)
- Static Encephalopathy
- Neurobehavioral Disorder associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5)]
- Alcohol Related Birth Defects
Support People of Reproductive Age
Accessing Family Planning Services So They Have the Tools & Power to Decide If and When to Become Pregnant
Accessing Treatment and Recovery Services in Case Support is Needed to Have an Alcohol-Free Pregnancy
Support Pregnant People
Accessing a Continuum of Health Care Services including:
- Prenatal Care
- Mental Health Care
- Behavioral Health Care
Educate Providers and Family-Serving Professionals
How to Best to Provide Care and Resources to People of Reproductive Age Who have Alcohol Use Disorders
How to Best Provide Care and Resources to Support Families and Individuals Impacted by FASD, Including Referral Options
Raise Community Awareness
Reduce Stigma by:
- Using Person-First Language to Talk About a Person that has a Disability Rather than Presenting the Disability as the Entirety of their Identity
- Empower Families Impact by FASD through Story-Telling to Encourage Audiences to Reconsider their Attitudes Towards Alcohol and Pregnancy and Better Support People with FASD
Knowledge of child development is important to reduce child maltreatment and FASD. Greater understanding of child development and parenting strategies that support physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional development is critical to helping children reach their full potential.
A lack of understanding of developmental milestones and common behaviors of children and teens impacted by FASD, contributes to misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed and greater risk of child maltreatment. Children with disabilities are nearly 4 times more likely to be physically abused or neglected and more than 3 times more likely to be sexually abused when compared to children without disabilities.5
Children with an FASD are more likely to show gaps in:
- Problem-solving skills/executive functioning
- Memory
- Processing, including sensory processing and rate of processing
- Ability to remain attentive
- Understanding consequences
Adolescents with an FASD are more likely to be impacted by:
- Difficulties with attention, self regulation, decision-making and cognition
- School problems and employment failure
- Behavioral and mental health conditions and substance misuse
- Criminal and juvenile justice involvement
Illuminating FASD
Know What to Look For, How to React and Get Involved to Strengthen Your Community
Medical Care
Specific health conditions may require monitoring and treatment. Medications may be used to manage hyperactivity, depression or anxiety.
Occupational Therapy
May help with impulse control and sensory issues.
Behavioral and Education Therapies
May help children and youth develop adaptive skills, appropriate social behavior, and learning readiness.
Screening Across Systems
Standardized screening in health care, school, and other systems designed to support families.
Diagnostic Services
Early diagnosis is very important. Ensuring access to quality and affordable diagnostic services can support families in receiving additional services and supports.
Developmental Screening & Early Intervention
If a young child is not meeting typical developmental milestones, or someone is concerned about the child’s growth or learning, child find teams will evaluate how the child plays, learns, speaks, behaves and moves for FREE, through Child Find.
Special Education
Students may qualify for special educational services in one of these categories: Other Health Impaired, Serious Emotional Disability, Specific Learning Disability and Speech or Language Impairment.
Parenting Training & Support
Should be tailored to each family’s unique needs may include: Trust-Based/Trauma Responsive parenting models, parent support groups and respite care.
Medicaid-Funded Services
Individuals impacted by FASDs may be eligible for Medicaid-funded services that support children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Educators play an important role in identifiying behaviors in students that may be associated with FASDs and learning strategies that support students with FASD to help them reach their full potential.
Visit the Colorado Department of Education web section on FASD.
Get Involved
Illuminate Colorado is home to the Colorado Chapter of FASD United, the leading voice and resource of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders community.
In addition, Illuminate provides backbone support to the SuPPoRT Colorado Steering Committee, envisioning a Colorado that equitably serves all families through prevention and reduction of substance use during pregnancy and provides multigenerational support for families to thrive. Building Colorado’s statewide capacity to identify Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and support impacted families is a priority of this collaborative.
Questions?
Contact Kelli Sutton, Strategic Initiatives Manager
Citations
- .Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol Use in Pregnancy. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html
- MedlinePlus. Fetal Development. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early Brain Development and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
- May, P. A., Chambers, C. D., & Kalberg, W. O. (2018). Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 4 US Communities. JAMA, 319(5):474-482. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.21896
- Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2018). The risk and prevention of maltreatment of children with disabilities. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.
Staying FASD Informed and Involved Beyond September
Throughout September, we have explored all of the ways we can support families impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), including things you can learn, be, do, and say. This week, as we look back on all the work we’ve done, we will also look ahead to what we can do and share throughout the year for individuals and families across the state…
Finding the Right Words: Supporting Families During FASD Awareness Month
Effective communication, rooted in strengths-based language, is a powerful tool in supporting families impacted by FASD. This week, we are focusing on how allies can utilize communication that emphasizes positivity and empowerment…
Responding to the Needs of Families Impacted by FASD through Influencing Policy
This FASD Awareness Month, we at Illuminate Colorado are reflecting on our advocacy throughout 2023 to increase awareness among legislators of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and expand Colorado’s capacity to respond to the needs of individuals and families impacted by FASD…
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Our children are our future employees, leaders and neighbors. No matter where they live, children need high-quality experiences and loving relationships to support healthy development.
