Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a serious condition that arises from prenatal exposure to alcohol. As an entirely preventable disorder, FAS remains a significant public health concern due to its enduring impacts on individuals and society. It is characterized by a constellation of physical, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities that can have lifelong ramifications for those affected (May et al., 2009).
FAS falls within a broader category of conditions known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), with FAS being at the severe end of the spectrum. The condition was first medically described in 1973 by Jones and Smith, who noted a distinct pattern of dysmorphology and developmental delay in children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy (Jones & Smith, 1973). Since then, the understanding of FAS and its implications has evolved significantly.
The impact of FAS extends beyond the individual to society at large. Children with FAS often require specialized educational services, medical care, and various forms of social support. These demands can present significant economic challenges, both for the families affected and for public health systems (Lupton et al., 2004). Additionally, individuals with FAS may experience difficulties in social integration and are at greater risk of encountering legal issues and substance abuse problems as they grow older (Streissguth et al., 2004).
As we expand on the discourse surrounding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), it becomes important to recognize the lifelong health concerns associated with this condition. Individuals with FAS are more prone to a host of medical issues that extend into adulthood, including problems with their vision and hearing, cardiovascular anomalies, and renal issues (Aase, 1994).
Through the integration of diverse yet interconnected approaches, the support for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and their families can be continuously refined and optimized. The ultimate goal is to ensure that each person affected by FAS has the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life, with all the necessary supports and resources available to them.
...Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is one of the most common and devastating birth abnormalities among American children. This paper will provide an in-depth look at FAS, using four reliable sources as a basis of this analysis. The sources used are Streissguth, Jacobson & Jacobson, the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), and National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS). The information obtained from these sources will be
According to recent studies conducted by Ernest Abel and Robert Sokol, the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is estimated to be 0.33 cases per 1,000 live births. The States of Missouri less than 25 cases of Fetal alcohol Syndrome out of 80,000 recorded live births. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is considered as a serious health problem that has unfortunately affected victims and their families, however according to reports the inherited disorder
Four of those children had short palpebral fissures, a smooth philtrum (see previous article by Blackburn), and "microcephaly" (a situation where a child's head is far smaller than the heads of children the same age), all manifestations of a child whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. Dr. Smith and other doctors that got involved began checking the various maladies these children suffered from with other children whose disabilities hadn't
Again, growth deficiencies occur for many different reasons, and other causes must be ruled out. Central nervous system disorders in FAS can be significant and varied, and mimic other disorders. Diagnosis of FAS can be made on the basis of structural, neurological, or functional CNS disorders. Diagnosis of CNS deficits must also rule out other disorders that can co-exist with FAS, such as autism or oppositional defiant disorder (National
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Special Education About the Child Pietro is a 7-year-old boy. His biological parents are Argentine and Colombian. He was born approximately six weeks prematurely because of his mother's consumption of alcohol throughout the duration of her pregnancy. According to medical reports, his mother did not consume heavy quantities of alcohol, but she did consume nominal amounts on a regular basis, such as one to three times a week, nearly
According to the research, this is "a theoretical framework that seeks to describe a developmental process associated with efforts to provide access for individuals with disabilities to facilities, programs, and information," (Edyburn 2001 p 24). This theoretical foundation focuses on the need to increase advocacy through academic research and the exposure of common findings to advocacy groups. Then, phase 2 focuses on making much needed resources and environments for
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