Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Introduction     Facts About FASD     Guiding Principals     What We Do     References

Introduction

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, there is a chance that her baby will be born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD describes the range of disabilities that can occur when the unborn baby is prenatally exposured to alcohol. Prenatal alcohol exposure primarily affects the central nervous system (the brain), and can affect physical, behavioural, learning, and adaptive domains. It is also strongly associated with mental illness. 

"FASD" is not a diagnosis. Instead, it is an umbrella term that encompasses a number of different disorders including: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS); Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND); and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD).
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Facts About FASD

  • FASD is the leading cause of developmental disability among Canadian children. (Poole, 2008). Approximately 1 in 100 Canadian children will be born with FASD (Chudley et al., 2005).
  • FASD crosses all boundaries, and it is not confined to any particular race, socioeconomic status, or demographic group.
  • The impact of alcohol varies on the amount, timing, and frequency of alcohol consumed. Other key factors include the mother's genetics, overall health, other drug use, and nutrition. 
  • During the 9 months of pregnancy it is safest not to drink any amount or type of alcohol (Chudley et al., 20050.
  • FASD is preventable ... if alcohol is not consumed, FASD cannot occur. For this reason, it is safest not to drink any amount or type of alcohol (including beer, hard liquor, wine, or coolers) during pregnancy.
  • FASD is a complex public health and social issue. The annual costs of FASD in Canada are profound and are estimated to be approximately $5.3 billion a year. The average annual cost per individual is estimated to be approximately $21,5000.00 per year (Stade et al., 2009).  
  • September 9th is FASD Awareness Day. For more information, see our FASD Awareness Day Planning and Reporting Guide.
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Guiding Principals

Guiding Principles provide a framework to:

  • address issues and assist in creating a safe environment,
  • ensure effective communication and consistent messages,
  • and facilitate change in attitude and expectations.

We believe in

Hope …

By recognizing whenever a woman can stop or reduce her drinking during pregnancy, there is hope for her to have a healthier child.

Respect …

For individuals with FASD, parents / caregivers, and communities.

Understanding …

By learning new information, keeping current on issues and research, and being aware of personal attitudes and values.

Compassion …

By being sensitive to the needs of individuals, families, and communities impacted by FASD.

Cooperation …

By recognizing the importance of building partnerships within communities in addressing all aspects of FASD.

For complete description, click here.
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What We Do

At the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, within the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention Program, our focus is to prevent FASD from occurring (primary prevention). To make a difference we: 

Promote awareness, education, and understanding of FASD by:

  • Developing multi-media messages.  
  • Delivering presentations, workshops, and conferences for professionals, service providers and community groups.   
  • Coordinating a Saskatchewan FASD Speakers' Bureau. To book a speaker, please refer to the Saskatchewan FASD Speakers Bureau Section.
  • For upcoming conferences and training opportunities, please refer to our Events Section on this website.

Develop and share evidence-based resources with professionals, service providers and community groups by:

  • Producing fact sheets, brochures, posters, booklets, DVD's and presentation packages and hosting a video lending library. (Over 13,000 resources were distributed in a 3 month period between January and March, 2010.  
  • Providing downloadable resources on our website.

Support communities and build capacity through outreach by:

  • Providing grants and facilitating networking opportunities for Regional FASD Committees in Saskatchewan. To start a Regional FASD Committee in your community, contact the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute at info@preventioninstitute.sk.ca for more information.
  • Working with youth across Saskatchewan through the Youth Action for Prevention (YAP) Project. This project involves youth in discussions and community events around alcohol use and risks associated with it.

Facilitate provincial coordination, networking and the sharing of FASD information and resources by:

  • Facilitating provincial coordination of the FASD Coordinating Committee and the Regional FASD Committees in Saskatchewan.  
  • Representing the Institute on provincial and national committees including:
    • The Canada Northwest FASD Partnership. For more information, visit: http://www.cnfasdpartnership.ca/.
    • National Advisory Group
    • National Advisory Group on Youth Substance Abuse Prevention (YSAP) through the Canadian Centre of Substance Abuse (CCSA)

The FASD Prevention Program receives funding from a variety of sources, including: the Government of Saskatchewan; the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA); Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC); First Nations Inuit Health (FNIH); and Potash Corporation.
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References

Chudley, A., Conry, J., Cook, J., Loock, C., Rosales, T., LeBlanc, N. (2005). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Canadian guidelines for diagnosis. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 172 (Suppl. 5), S1-S21.

Poole, N. (2008). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): Canadian perspectives. Retrieved June 3, 2010, from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fasd-etcaf/pdf/cp-pc-eng.pdf

Stade, B., Ali, A., Bennett, D., Campbell, D., Johnston, M., Lens, C., Koren, G. (2009). The burden of prenatal exposure to alcohol: Revised measurement of cost. Can J Clin Pharmacol, 16, e91-e102.
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