Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - a tragic set of health issues no child should ever be saddled with. The disorder manifests itself with a range of physical, mental and behavioural symptoms. Not surprisingly learning disabilities are also frequently a result of this devastating diagnosis.
Health Canada estimates that about nine out of 1,000 children born in our country each year are affected by this far-reaching disorder. Just whose children these will be is not easy to predict. They can be born to mothers who constantly abuse alcohol or they may be the children of mothers who had one drink before she knew she was pregnant. The bottom line is that no amount of alcohol is good for a developing fetus and the exact amount it takes to seriously impair a child has not been determined.
So what can be done to eliminate this most common of all preventable birth disorders?
The answer may seem easy but in reality it will take a major overhaul to society's attitude as to what constitutes a good time. The beautiful young women of childbearing age pictured in ads for boozy good times are probably not thinking about unplanned pregnancies. In the days it takes to find out about such an occurrence many drinks could have been swallowed with who knows what result.
And what of the children themselves? How do you explain a disorder in a child who may manifest no overt physical signs and yet has obvious behavioural struggles? They may have poor impulse control resulting in a screaming fit when their wants aren't immediately met or worse yet completely denied. Perhaps that boy or girl having a full-fledged tantrum isn't merely a brat but someone who lacks the ability to control his or her actions. How do we identify a child who needs our compassion not our judgment? There is no easy answer but perhaps the next time rather than roll our eyes in horror at a sign of misbehaviour it might be better to err on the side of decency and keep our feelings neutral.
Perhaps one of the saddest elements of FASD is the chance that a young woman struggling with the disorder may lack the discernment necessary to make sure that history does not repeat itself.
Our hats are off to FASD key workers, Jen Davey and Erin McClean for their work in this area. This past month has been B.C. FASD Prevention and Support month. Along with the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, the pair gave out basic information to targeted youth through the Circle of Support program. That endeavour provides education and training to individuals, families and service providers. The program also works hard to increase awareness of the many heart-wrenching aspects of FASD. And most importantly the Circle of Support advocates and helps the innocent individuals who have this disorder.
Alcohol and pregnancy don't mix. Remember that the next time you raise a glass.
