Day 29: Mackie's Sharing 10 Things to Know About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Day 29 (A Day early. Therapies and Neuromuscular clinic for Mac Monday)

The Ten Things to Know About FASD Campaign.

I just finished all 10 Lesson on our 10 Things You need to Know About FASD and here is the list with the links.

#1 People with FASD have challenges due to no fault of their own. They are the innocent victims of prenatal alcohol exposure. 

#2 FASD is complicated and no two people are alike. Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause damage to any system of the body. Recent medical literature reported over 400 different diagnoses and problems associated wth FAS.

#3 Most of the time FASD is invisible. People with FASD can look normal, but struggle with normal. Only 1 out of 10 will have the physical characteristics associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

#4 Most people with FASD will have normal intelligence. Some will have high intellect and still struggle. The majority will need a circle of external support for their lifetimes.

#5 You cannot outgrow FASD. It is permanent and a life-long condition. There is no cure. It is a struggle to find diagnosis, support and help as there is no disability category where they fit in. Finding early diagnosis and intervention can help mitigate secondary mental health challenges. 

#6 People with FASD can have memory and processing challenges, motor control, auditory, visual and sensory processing issues. It is important to realize their world is different than ours. 

#7 The brain is complex. Just because you can say it, doesn't mean it is understood. They may  need help with cognitive translation. Often times it is not they won't do it, they may need a different way to be able to achieve it. 

#8 We just think beyond chronological age and meet them at their developmental, social, and emotional stages with respect. They learn well with experience in safe and fun guided steps.

#9 Persons with FASD just want to be understood, cared for, included and most of all loved like everyone else.

#10 It's 100% preventable. It is the number one cause of prenatal brain injury and lifelong learning challenges. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders!

Mackie and Anny