Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Analysis
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Analysis (Obj. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3)
Lila Matthews
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
PCN 673 Development Disabilities
Instructor: Dr. Christy Land
November 1, 2023
Fetal Alcohol syndrome is something that all women should be aware of when it comes
to being pregnant. Women at times think that it is okay to have a glass of wine if the doctor says
it is. In all honesty the one drink can be a huge risk to the baby and what can transpire as the
baby begins to develop.
We will begin to discuss myths and facts in regards for what is okay for
pregnancy and what Is not okay. We will then go into discussing the affects that alcohol has on
the fetus within the different stages of pregnancy, how the different stages of alcohol syndrome
transpire. On to the spectrum through symptoms and functional impairments. We will finish out
with discussing the evidenced based practices that should go into with early intervention for a
child with fetal alcohol syndrome, while providing resources and guidance’s for the families.
When a women is pregnant with her first child, she hears it all. A women is surrounded
many friends some with kids. They can be told many things like while pregnant it is okay to have
wine during their pregnancy, wine is still alcohol, and should be looked at as such. “Even in the
weeks before a woman learns she’s pregnant, a baby is rapidly developing and can be harmed by
alcohol. It can take up to six weeks before a woman realizes she’s pregnant, and drinking during
that time can dramatically impact the early development of a baby. Plus, nearly 50 percent of
U.S. pregnancies are not planned, which means women drinking during that time put their
children at risk for lifelong problems.” (Siegel, 2015).
Another huge myth that has transpired
amongst women are if you drink in early pregnancy there should be no worries as the child
develops because the alcohol shall disappear as the child grows older. When in reality the child
really suffers tremendously due to from physical development to, brain development, learning
disorders, and behavioral problems.
The physical affects that fetal consist of the child or fetus suffering from central nervous
central problems, minor facial features such as round face, and growth problems (CDC,2023).
During the different stages of pregnancy, the first three months of pregnancy, alcohol can cause
for the child to develop abnormal facial features, cause for miscarriage, still birth, and
prematurity in the child. By the second trimester the child can suffer from their central nervous
system not developing properly and dysfunction in brain development. By the third trimester you
have to worry about the baby full developing or functioning at a proper capacity, this can cause
for the child to be born in the world and suffer from potential withdrawals from no longer having
alcohol in his or her system.
Fetal alcohol syndrome can develop at any time throughout the
women’s pregnancy, but it is 65% more likely to develop if drinking has transpired through all 3
trimesters of the women’s fetus development (Proof Alliance, 2023).
Fetal Alcohol syndrome begins as an investigation that involves for the baby and the
mother to be screen for physical characteristics such as the baby’s growth, and facial
dysmorphology (ASP.org, n.d.). If any abnormalities are noticed in the child within the first
screening, then the next screening which is the neurodevelopmental screening will then take
place, this will analyze if the child is function properly after birth. If red flags are seen in the 2
nd
screening the doctors will then move on and do a sensitive exploration of a history for possible
prenatal exposure. Once the baby has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome the
pediatrician will then work close with the developmental pediatric doctor and any other specialist
to help the baby meet his or her milestone in early intervention practices.
The symptoms and functional impairments that go along with fetal alcohol syndrome
include low body weight, poor coordination, ADHD, Difficulty focusing, speech and language
delays, learning disabilities, poor sleep, shorter than average height, small face, round face,
possible vision and healing loss, poor memory problems (CDC,2023), and many more symptoms
that can cause for delay in milestone and proper development.
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Some common evidenced based practice treatments when it comes to Fetal alcohol
syndrome include Speech therapy. Speech therapy aids the child in catching up on any speech
delaying milestones as well as any language barriers that they may have missed within their
development. Another therapy that would be very viable for early intervention would be
Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy allows for development in physical, sensory, and
cognitive barriers that the child may suffer from, this helps improving the child’s ability to
perform or participate in activities and daily living skills (Mchps.org, n.d.). Another great therapy
to help a child suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome as a tool for early intervention would
definitely be physical therapy. Physical therapy will allow for the child to be able to be cared for
physically ensuring they are meeting all of their movement milestones along with being able to
control their full range of motion that they may not have developed in the womb or as a fetus.
In conclusion, there are many misconceptions when it comes to drinking, planning a
baby, being pregnant with a baby, and then going to have the baby. It is
very scary in itself to be
a first time mom and unsure what is needed, what is right, and what is wrong when it comes to
baring or caring for a child. Doing simple research to understand fetal alcohol syndrome with
resources like the CDC to provide you with the basic information on what to do, what not to do,
and what it looks like. Or Proof Alliance providing you with the facts to know what to expect if
you drink alcohol and debunking myths with concrete scientific evidence. It is important that
when we are looking to have a child, we are doing our due diligence and paying attention to our
babies and our bodies as our child is developing because it is not only hurting us but it is also
hurting the life we are bringing into the world.
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Basics about fasds. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html#:~:text=People
%20with%20FAS%20have%20central,a%20mix%20of%20these%20problems.
Common diagnostic approaches in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Home. (n.d.).
https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders/common-diagnostic-
approaches-in-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder/#:~:text=Investigation%20would
%20involve%20screening%20for,to%20determine%20an%20FASD%20diagnosis.
Is a little alcohol ok during pregnancy?. Proof Alliance. (2023).
https://www.proofalliance.org/what-is-fasd/alcohol-and-pregnancy/#:~:text=Alcohol%20in
%20the%203rd%20trimester,drinking%20happens%20all%203%20trimesters.
Occupational therapy vs physical therapy: MCPHS. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences. (n.d.). https://www.mcphs.edu/about/news/occupational-therapy-vs-
physical-therapy#:~:text=The%20most%20basic%20difference%20between,perform
%20activities%20of%20daily%20living.
Siegel, Dr. J. (2015). Alcohol & Pregnancy: Three myths, three facts. Plano, TX General Medical
Practice. https://healthservicesntx.org/blog/alcohol-and-pregnancy-three-myths-three-facts