Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Definition: FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, behavioral, mental, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD is not a diagnostic term rather a descriptive term.
The most well-known diagnosis is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The Institute of Medicine has identified three other diagnoses:
- Partial FAS: facial anomalies and other symptoms without all the signs of FAS
- Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND): Central Nervous System (CNS) defects and behavior problems or cognitive deficits (e.g., speech delays, hyperactivity)
- Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD): damage to organs, bones, or muscles
Another term that has been used over the last 30 years is Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE).
Professional Development
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Webinar
Date: April 25, 2013 Time: 3:00-4:00 pm- Flyer (PDF)
- Registration
Resources
- Colorado
Dept. of Education: Brain Injury in Children and Youth – A
Manual for Educators (PDF)
All information located in this manual is applicable to congenital and acquired brain injury - Colorado Fetal Alcohol and Other Prenatal Substance Prevention Outreach Project (COFAS), University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center
- NOFAS Colorado: Family Support Groups and Individual Resources
- SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAS Prevention Team
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
- NOFAS Resource Directory
For more information, please contact:
Heather Hotchkiss
Phone: 303-866-6739