Fetal+Alcohol+Spectrum+Disorder+(FASD)

*The following research article was contributed with permission by Jillian Li on behalf of the author Pam Skinner (parent):

__Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)__ When people refer to substances, the first thing that is considered is the actual substance itself. It is key to also keep in mind, understand and be aware of the many different causes and effects of using these substances as well. The effects are very harmful and can damage one's health for both short and long periods of time, and can affect another person's well-being as well. Take this following article for example, sent by Pam Skinner, a parent of a student from Deer Park who wished to mention Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, known as FASD during the unit of which Substance Use and Abuse is being taught in Health class.

//"FASD is an umbrella term to describe the various degrees of injury to an unborn baby in a pregnant woman/teen who has consumed alcohol at any point during the pregnancy.

One in every 100 people has been exposed to alcohol prenatally. It causes permanent prenatal injuries to the brain. Later, these injuries can cause issues with: attention, intellectual ability, memory, ability to tell ones body what to do/control body parts, ability to regulate one's emotions etc etc. Injuries vary by when and how much mom consumed and what was developing in the baby at the time of consumption. Alcohol is a neurotoxin, a poison, a teratogen.

Alchohol is actually more harmful to an unborn child than crack and cocaine. Babies exposed to crack and cocaine prenatally, are born addicted, but they eventually come off it. They rarely experience brain damage. Alchohol, however, actually causes permanent damage to the baby's brain. There is no safe amount of alcohol.

The unborn child is exposed to the same amount of alcohol as the the birth mother drinks. The alcohol travels in the blood stream directly via the umbilical cord to the baby. The baby is many times smaller than the mom, and has an underdevleoped liver so, it can't possibly process it.

The last point: Half of the women of childbearing age consume alcohol. Half of all pregnancies are unplanned.

So, the chance of a baby being prenatally exposed to alcohol is high.

But, the good news is that injury to the unborn baby is 100 percent preventable!" //

As explained in the article, FASD is without a doubt, preventable. This is the same with many other substances that are constantly used by many people, who over a period of time become addicted. This not only alters their physical, mental and emotional wellness, but also the lives of the people surrounding them, in which FASD is a primary example. When the variety of damaging effects are explained and learned, people are able to be more aware of things that involve this situation. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is one of the many articles that can be found to build one's knowledge of the causes and effects of using substances.


 * Jillian Li 7-7 (with permission from Pam Skinner)**