Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Presented by Ambila Ambrose-Audu

Definition

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a devastating disease caused by women consuming alcohol during pregnancy.

Approximately forty thousand children are diagnosed with this disease annually.

About 95% of such children go undiagnosed.

FAS accounts for more birth defects than any other causes combined.

It is the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States of America.

Before 1960 there was no data to support any claim that alcohol was unhealthy for unborn children.

From 1920-1933 in the United States people were prohibited from selling, drinking and making alcohol beverages. This law was repealed and doctors advice their patients that there was no harm in pregnant women consuming a little bit of alcohol.

It was believed that the cause of child defects and abnormalities was as a result of poverty, bad hygiene or poor eating habits of mothers who drank alcohol.

Some scientists believed that alcohol weeded poor and undesirable women from the society.

By the 1950’s the use of

alcohol was in the rise, and no attention was paid to the unborn child.

A group of scientists began tracking 127 children born of alcoholic mothers and found several effects which they blamed on alcohol, while the children were in their fetal stages.

Deformities

Stunted growth patterns Deformities of the face Behavioral and emotional problems Failure to gain weight Disinterest in nursing and sucking ability Infrequent cry for attention Varying degrees of brain damage

In 1973 an article in a British newspaper about the effects of alcohol on the unborn child brought Dr David Smith and Dr Kenneth Jones to the lime light.

These doctors gave the disease its name, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It caused international attention.

FAS VS FAE(Fetal Alcohol Effects)

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome This causes a lot of

mental, physical and developmental disabilities in babies

Fetal Alcohol Effects Is a milder form of FAS Most FAE go un noticed or

undiagnosed Children with FAE are more

likely to have trouble in school and with the law

The fact that they look normal makes it more difficult to address and provide adequate services for such children

Teaching students with FAS/FAE

As a teacher it is best to understand what FAS/FAE is and various challenges these students face.

Teachers have to be supportive, encouraging and guide these students so that they can attain their full potential.

They have to have an open way of communicating with parents, caregivers and the student in order to acquire nessessaty information about the students challenge.

Teachers have to find resources that will benefit the Childs learning ability.

Finding effective ways to communicate the students needs effectively.

Making sure that the classroom arrangement meets the student’s needs and can be adjusted to meet those needs.

Teachers need to know that there are other professional working with the student and their inputs are very important to the success of the student.

Sharing information with the appropriate authority and requesting assistance for the student will help teachers plan and implement different educational strategies for students with FAS/FAE.

BIbliographyStewart, G. (2005). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Diseases and

Disorder. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson.

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