According to Ware et al. (2015) fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a terminology used to describe a host of conditions such as mental, behavioral, physical, or learning problems. Alcoholism and substance abuse can cause stillborns, low birth rates, or premature births. There are other complications that may develop. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe form of FASD. This can result if a woman drinks seven or more drinks per week. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS is typified by differing levels of craniofacial deformities, impaired pre and postnatal grown, central nervous systems malformation, and heart defects. Alcoholism and substance abuse often results in children suffering from many types of learning disabilities.
There is no safe amount of alcohol or drugs that are appropriate for the unborn child. Prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol is the most preventable cause of birth defects in newborns. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that 10 out of every 100 pregnant women drink and two out of every 100 binge drink. These numbers startled me. Women who binge drink while pregnant risk lifelong disorders in their child (CDC, 2015). Treatment for alcoholism during this time is warranted.
I believe that working with children who are affected with FASD would prove quite challenging. Meeting the needs of these children takes the work of special education teachers, parent, medical personnel, and the schools. These individuals must be diligent in their approach to the education and treatments of their specific disorders. In the past, I have taught many children who have been diagnosed with FASD. These children require special care so that they can acquire the highest possible quality of life. There are many problems that the affected child will develop which causes many lifelong developmental and psychological problems. These problems may consist of neurological and physical issues.
These are some questions that I have concerning FASD and substance abuse.
1. When are how is FASD diagnosed?
2. What substance abuse treatments are best for pregnant women?
3. What developmental services are best in alcohol and substance abuse treatment?
References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Data and statistics for FASD. Retrieved from
http://www.ede.gov/ncbddd/faasd/data.html
Ware, A. L., O'Brien, J. W., Crocker, N., Deweese, B. N., Roesch, S. C., Coles, C. D., ... & Jones,
K. L. (2013). The Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder on Psychopathology and Behavior. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental
Research, 37(3), 507-516.
Hi Jacquelyne,
ReplyDeleteThe effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be seen in classrooms across the United States. Many students who qualify for special education services or who are in the process of being staffed into special education, have been directly affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). What makes this one of the toughest situations for teachers is that FAS can be avoided. It still baffles me as to why a parent would risk having their child affected by this debilitating disorder. When pregnant, no amount of alcohol, whether it is wine, wine cooler, or distilled spirits are acceptable. Having just one drink poses a risk of FAS to the unborn fetus.
New guidelines in the United Kingdom (UK) for preventing FAS advises that of you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, the best course of action is not to drink at all to minimize the risk of adverse effects on the unborn fetus. (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, 2016). This replaces previous guidelines which states to avoid alcohol but if the mother chooses to drink she should have no more than one to two glasses per week and should not get drunk. The new guidelines are a step in the right direction for reducing the occurrence of FAS. Whether the new guidelines in the UK will be adhered to or not is yet to be seen. Now it's up to other countries to develop more stringent guidelines in order to possibly reduce the impact on this very preventable disorder.
Great post, Jacuqelyne.
Erica
Source:
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved from http://www.nofas.org/2016/01/11/new-uk-guidelines-say-no-alcohol-during-pregnancy/
Great topic. This topic has always concerned me, especially when so many doctors in the United States tell pregnant woman it is okay to have a glass of wine or a beer regularly during pregnancy. I had a friend who was unable to sleep her last trimester and her doctor encouraged her to drink wine at night to help her sleep. Doctors are still prescribing medications to their pregnant patients, some of these medications are on the "ok" list one year and the following year are listed as harmful. I am looking forward to watching your research unfold.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great topic. It saddens me to read that so many women still drink during their pregnancy. With all the reach we have today regarding prenatal risk factors, I wonder why binge drinking is still an option for so many pregnant women. I agree that treatment is important, but they also need education and therapy for what is causing them to drink so heavily. I also questioned if a pregnant women needs a different type of abuse treatment than someone from the general public.
ReplyDeleteWhen an expected mother decides to drink alcohol, her unborn child is immediately put at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. From one month to four months of conception the brain’s neuron cells emerging at 50,000 to 100,000 a second (Woolfolk, 2007). Fetal alcohol syndrome risk is the highest during a woman’s first trimester of pregnancy; however pregnant women should not drink any type of alcohol at all during their pregnancy (Heward, 2009). The alcohol during pregnancy has a toxic effect on the developing fetus’s brain. Fetal alcohol syndrome puts a child at greater risk for behavioral and neurological problems.
I look forward to reading more about your project!
Rhonda
Heward, W. (2009). Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson
Woolfolk, A. (2007). Education Psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Jacquelyne,
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important topic. There is a wonderful poem called, "Welcome to Holland," that describes how a new parent may feel, when their child has been diagnosed with a disability of some kind. There is often times grief that comes along with this, and I think as educators, it is crucial to develop empathy and support during times of transitions for children and families. I use this poem in a class I teach about children with diverse abilities, and the conversation I have with my students is always so thought provoking and emotion filled. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Rachel
Reference
Kingsley, E. (n.d.) Welcome to holland. Retrieved from http://dsnetworkaz.org/holland/