Leah Johnston EDU 214-870/871

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Symptoms
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is an effect that can occur to the fetus when the mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol can very easily pass through the placenta and into the fetus causing harm to the development of this fetus. It can affect the growth, mental, and physical development. If a mother drinks too heavily during pregnancy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome may occur, and is firmly linked to intellectual disabilities (ID). Binge drinking tends to be more harmful than drinking in smaller amounts. However, there has been no amount of alcohol deemed safe during pregnancy. Timing can also play a major role when drinking alcohol. The first three months tend to be the most harmful since that is when the fetus develops more during that time. Certain symptoms may include poor growth before or after the baby is born. Muscle tone can decrease and poor coordination could play a role. Problems with thinking, speech, movement, or social skills can be affected. Also certain heart defects such as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) or Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) can happen to the fetus. Complications for the mother can be miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery. Complications for the infant may include behavioral problems, an abnormal heart structure, death, an Intellectual Disability (ID), and problems structurally with the head and face.

Characteristics
Narrow, small eyesa small heada smooth upper jawsmooth groove in upper lipand smooth and thin upper lip

Testing
A physical exam of the infant might show a heart murmur or other problems of the heart. Signs of delayed mental development may appear as the child gets older. A test can include the blood alcohol level of a pregnant woman who has been drinking. Cat scans or MRIs after the child is born to check on his/her brain, and see if there is a problem there. One could also do a pregnancy ultrasound.

Treatments
Women who are trying to get pregnant or currently are should avoid drinking all together. If the woman is an alcoholic, then there are certain alcohol abuse rehabilitation programs she could join. Other programs for a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can benefit from services provided from the school he/she attends, as well as individual services.

Support Groups
1. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencywww.ncadd.org 2. National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service1(800) 662-4357. 3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationwww.samhsa.gov

Beneficial Services
1. 2. 3. 4. Individualized Family Service Plan Medical Services Special Instruction Devices to help assist the individual

Expectations
Almost every baby will have some kind of developmental delay. If children are diagnosed early, and can be referred to those who can help with educational and behavioral strategies that fits with the child, then then chances of living a positive life in society can increase dramatically.

Teaching Strategies
1. 2. 3. 4. Be sure to have read the students IEP. Keep a good line of communication with the parents/caregivers. Keep a safe environment. When giving instruction, make sure the wording is clear, simple, and give it one step at a time. Do not use descriptive and/or colloquial speech. This can confuse the student. 5. Make sure to ask student if he/she understands the material. The student might not know what to do, but out of fear or embarrassment to peer reaction, claim that they do. 6. Short lesson plans.

Innovative Technologies
SMART Boards- an interactive white board. Includes many programs from the internet for the student to work on.

Current Laws
1. Rosas Law- This bill changed the term Mental Retardation to Intellectual Disability. 2. Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) - All children can receive free and appropriate public education. 3. In 1981, the Surgeon General told women to consider not drinking alcoholic beverages while pregnant due to the high risk of birth defects. 4. In 1989, the public law 100-690 made sure that there were warning labels on alcoholic beverages in the US.

Statistics
1. A National Survey found that more than 50% women ages 15-44 drank while pregnant. 2. The percentage of women who were reported drinking during their first trimester was 66%, while 54% claimed to have drank in their third trimester. 3. Fetal Alcohol effects occurs in about 3-5 births every 1,000 born each year in the United States. 4. FAS occurs in about 1 to 2 births every 1,000 each year in the United States. 5. According to the birth defects monitoring program, American Indians rated the highest for babies with FAS at 3.0 per 1000 births.

References
1. Infants and Toddlers Program 1450 Furnace Avenue, Glen Burnie, MD 21060. 410-222-6911 2. Kennedy Krieger Institute/D.S. Clinic 801 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205