FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
The Canada FASD Research Network has this definition for FASD:聽Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)聽is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people who were exposed to alcohol in the womb.聽Each person with FASD has both strengths and challenges and will need special supports to help them succeed with many different parts of their daily lives.
Events have been held worldwide to raise awareness of FASD since 1999. FASD Awareness Month promotes the prevention of alcohol-exposed pregnancies,聽diagnosis of FASD and a better understanding of the strengths of people with FASD and also the challenges.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute and the FASD Network of Saskatchewan are using this time to change the conversation about FASD and challenge the stigma.
Up to four per cent of Canadians have FASD, which makes it the most common disability in Canada. Using Saskatchewan鈥檚 population, that means up to 47,280 people may have FASD.
FASD is also an equal-opportunity disability, happening wherever alcohol is used.
Many people are angry at the women who use alcohol in pregnancy, but this is a pointless reaction.
鈥淪haming and blaming someone for drinking while pregnant does nothing to address the reasons why that person is using alcohol while pregnant. Addressing and acting on the reasons for alcohol use makes the difference,鈥� said Noreen Agrey, Interim Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute.
Marlene Dray, FASD Prevention Program Coordinator at the Institute, added 鈥淎lcohol is used in pregnancy for reasons such as coping with violence and stress, mental health challenges, or not knowing of the pregnancy. Because of the stigma around alcohol use in pregnancy, a woman may be afraid to talk about her use or ask for help. That hurts her and her baby.鈥�
People with FASD might experience a host of challenges, including problems with thinking or learning, difficulty reading, social cues, getting along with others and health problems such as hearing, digestion and sensory problems like high activity levels. Also, people with FASD have difficulties dealing with noisy crowds, classrooms, bright lights and busy places.
Most people with FASD look like everyone else, so they often don鈥檛 receive a diagnosis (or the right diagnosis) or the help they need. When children and adults with FASD are not provided with the supports they need, they can experience impacts such as problems in school, mental illnesses and drug and/or alcohol addictions.
When they have the right supports, they can be successful.
According to the FASD Network of Saskatchewan, children, youth and adults with FASD live in a world that often does not fit them very well. Identifying the strengths of people with FASD is a good starting point.
The FASD Network of Saskatchewan was created when a group of parents joined, because of the lack of services available for families impacted by FASD. The FASD Network is a community-based, provincial organization with offices in Saskatoon and Regina.
Prevention, identification and intervention are essential strategies in reducing FASD in Canada and the world. A significant number of pregnancies in Canada are unplanned, meaning there are women in the early stages of their pregnancies who might use alcohol and unknowingly impact the embryo without realizing they are expecting.
Andrea Kotlar-Livingston, Executive Director of the FASD Network of Saskatchewan, said 鈥淎lcohol is prevalent and ingrained in our society; there are many reasons why women may drink.鈥�
Shana Mohr, Training Manager of the Network, added, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 know people鈥檚 stories. We have to stop stigmatizing FASD and blaming mums for drinking. Shaming people is not the way to open up conversations around FASD.鈥�
If anyone suspects a family member has FASD, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor about diagnosis. An early diagnosis can lead to interventions designed to reduce the impact of FASD on an individual鈥檚 life.
The FASD Network provides support across the province to individuals and to families. No diagnosis is required to access services.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is a non-profit founded in 1980 with the mission to decrease incidences of disabling conditions in children, such as FASD. The organization raises awareness and educates by providing training, information and resources based on scientific evidence.
