Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition which is linked to drinking alcohol in pregnancy which affects the way a baby’s brain develops.
Children with FAS have problems with neurological development, abnormal growth, and have characteristic facial features that result from their foetal exposure to alcohol.
Neurological problems are caused by damage to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The problems experienced are likely to change as an infant grows up and different problems may be seen at different stages of development, from childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood.
These may include:
- learning disabilities
- poor academic achievement
- poor organisation
- lack of inhibition
- difficulty writing or drawing
- balance problems
- attention and hyperactivity problems
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
FASD may be harder to diagnose due to the lack of physical features and may be misdiagnosed at ASC, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental issues. This may be due to the lack of reporting of alcohol consumption for fear of stigma.
For more information about FASD, please see the following links:
FASD Network UK – Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
FASD Awareness (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) – SNAP Charity
