What is FASD?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term used to describe the brain-based physical disability caused by alcohol exposure in utero. It is a brain-based physical disability with behavioral symptoms.

There are many neurodevelopmental characteristics commonly associated with FASD and there are many overlapping diagnosis. Typically individuals with FASD’s have acquired many different diagnosis such as:

  • Intellectual disability or low I.Q. (they can also have an IQ of 130)
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Language Disorder
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Reactive Attachment Disorder
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • PTSD/Trauma
  • Anxiety Disorder
  • Personality Disorder

Typical primary characteristics in children, adolescents, and adults include:

  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty storing and retrieving information
  • Inconsistent performance (“on” and “off”) days
  • Impulsivity, distractibility, disorganization
  • Ability to repeat instructions, but inability to put them into action (“talk the talk but don’t walk the walk”)
  • Difficulty with abstractions, such as math, money management, time concepts
  • Cognitive processing deficits (may think more slowly)
  • Slow auditory pace (may only understand every third word of normally paced conversation)
  • Developmental lags (may act younger than chronological age)
  • Inability to predict outcomes or understand consequences
  • Strengths and interests
  • Poor reasoning and judgement skills
  • Sleep issues
  • Poor reasoning and judgement skills
  • Vision or hearing problems

Secondary Characteristics

Without proper diagnosis, people with FASD often experience such chronic frustration that over time a pattern of defensive behaviors develop. With appropriate understanding and supports these characteristics are shown to diminished, and often preventable and reversible.

  • Fatigue, tantrums
  • Irritability, frustration, anger, aggression
  • Fear, anxiety, avoidance, withdrawal
  • Shut down, lying, running away

Tertiary Characteristics

The cumulative results of lack of awareness, understanding and supports often leads to chronic poor fit and feelings of failure, isolation and alienation. These characteristics are also believed to be preventable and reversible with appropriate supports.

  • Trouble at home, school, and community
  • Legal trouble
  • Drug / Alcohol abuse
  • Mental health problems (depression, self injury, suicidal tendencies)

The CDC estimates 1 to 5 per 100 children are affected by FASD.