Today, the 9th of September, is the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders National Awareness Day.
Actually, it is not only today but the whole month, as September is the FASD Awareness Month. This day and month are dedicated to raising awareness about the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure and the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) on individuals’ lives.
For this permanent impact on individuals’ lives, the importance of having a non-alcoholic pregnancy… to prevent harm to the developing baby, as alcohol can cross the placenta and cause permanent physical, behavioural, and intellectual disabilities.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders refers to “disorders” (in plural) as there are four categorical entities: fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS); partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS); alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND); and alcohol related birth defects (ARBDs).
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes a range of harmful effects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). It is difficult to diagnose because of its complexity of presentation, but there are four principal diagnostic criteria: facial dysmorphology, growth deficiency, central nervous system dysfunction, and prenatal alcohol exposure.
Sensory processing difficulties are often observed in FASD and they can be related to sensory-based motor, sensory discrimination or sensory modulation.
If you are a therapist, educator or carer, you can watch our FASD webinar with Jo Pennell and Clare Devanney-Glynn, and learn how sensory integration and occupational therapy can transform daily life for those with FASD:
Webinar | FASD
Here are two organisations that offer information and resources for FASD:
Natinal Organisation for FASD
FASD Network UK
References:
Breuer, L., Greenmyer, J. R., & Wilson, T. (2024). Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder in Children. Children, 11(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11010108
Hilly, C., Wilson, P. H., Lucas, B., McGuckian, T. B., Swanton, R., & Froude, E. H. (2023). Effectiveness of interventions for school-aged-children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 46(9), 1708–1733. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2207043