Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Features include:
- central nervous system impairment (e.g. brain damage)
- slow growth (e.g. weight and height below normal, smaller than normal head circumference)
-
facial characteristics (e.g. short opening between eye lids, flattened vertical grooves between nose and upper lip)
The physical features are normally more pronounced in infancy and early childhood
Prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of the leading causes of preventable birth defects and along with Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome, one of the top three known causes of developmental delay in children in Canada. It is a life-long condition. A child with FASD becomes an adult with FASD. There is no cure for this syndrome; the damage is irreversible.
FASD was identified as a medical condition in 1973. Physicians and health care providers are continuing to educate the public about the impacts of alcohol on the fetus. Since research has not been able to confirm a safe level of alcohol for a woman to consume while pregnant, experts agree that no alcohol is best.
FASD is considered often to be at the extreme end of a continuum of observable effects. Individuals with FASD have physical characteristics as well as neurological impairments. There are many more children who are born with alcohol-related birth defects. These children may not have the physical characteristics of FASD, but do have various levels of neurological impairment that affect the way they grow, reason and learn. Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), and/or Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD), and/or Alcohol-Related Neurological Disorders (ARND) are included under the label of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
In Region 7, there are partner groups in each Zone who plan and deliver prevention education and support services to those affected by FASD.
Representatives from AADAC, Aboriginal agencies, FCSS, Education, Health, Justice, Children's Services and community members collaborate sharing their expertise and resources to provide FASD services. North Central Alberta CFSA, an active partner at each planning table, also contributes funds to support FASD service delivery in each Zone.
Lakeland's Centre for FASD (East Zone), is a leader in providing dignostic assessment and intervention, using an integrated and coordinated model. Through their Outreach Program, the Centre provides supports for FASD affected individuals, their families and those who whork with them (teachers, Social or Health Workers, etc). Community and regional partners have pooled their resources and expertise in a way
that is unique and responsive to the realities of non-urban life.
For more information on the Centre please contact:
Audrey McFarlane, Executive Director at 780-594-9905 or
Toll Free at 1-877-594-5454, or visit the Centre's website at: http://www.lakelandfas.com/
Region 7 West FASD Partnership Committee provides a Mentoring Project for youth and young adults where a Case manager works intensively with FASD affected individuals to fcilitate independent living through coaching, mentoring, advocacy and education strategies. The West Zone FASD Partnership Committee has also launched a creative public education campaign, provided training events and hosted a conference for service providers.
North Zone FASD Committee - Along with the prevention education campaign, the North Zone Response to FASD has two main components: 1.) Case mentoring, similar to the West Zone and 2.) expansion of Home Visitation services to young parents who are FASD affected. With funds from the DFSA, these programs are being launched in Athabasca, Slave Lake and the Northern communities.
Central Zone FASD Committee has recruited 2 part-time FASD coordinators to provide education, support, advocacy and referrals for FASD affected individuals, their families and those who work with them. Training and targeted education strategies are provided with the intent of broadening knowledge and understanding of FASD within our sector.
In January, 2003, a smaller working group, with representation from each of the Zones was formed. This group was tasked with building capacity within our region to implement effective and accessible diagnostic assessment and intervention services in Region 7. The work of this committee is on-going.
For more information on FASD services and strategies, please contact the CFSA: Prevention and Permanency Planning staff at 780-645-6427.
