News on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
News stories of interest to parents of children with FASD, from the Parenting Special Needs blog and news sources around the Web. For the latest news, go to the Today's News folder.
Growing up with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
From Newswise: "Saint Louis University researchers in the department of family and community medicine have received an $880,000, three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to develop and test a new program aimed at helping older children and young adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) successfully transition into adulthood." (10/19/09)
From Newswise: "Saint Louis University researchers in the department of family and community medicine have received an $880,000, three-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to develop and test a new program aimed at helping older children and young adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) successfully transition into adulthood." (10/19/09)
Fatal Link
From Shanan Trail: "The author researched seven school shootings in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A 'prototype' profile for a person with FAS was used to determine whether or not the person responsible for committing a crime had behaviors typical of a person with FAS." (10/14/09)
From Shanan Trail: "The author researched seven school shootings in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A 'prototype' profile for a person with FAS was used to determine whether or not the person responsible for committing a crime had behaviors typical of a person with FAS." (10/14/09)
Explaining Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to Young Readers
A sister tells about her brother, his disability, and his service dog.
A sister tells about her brother, his disability, and his service dog.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Often Overlooked, Advocates Say
From Disability News: "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day, held annually on the ninth day of the ninth month, seeks to draw attention to what many advocates call an 'invisible disability.'" (9/11/09)
From Disability News: "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day, held annually on the ninth day of the ninth month, seeks to draw attention to what many advocates call an 'invisible disability.'" (9/11/09)
Families battle an 'invisible disability'
From Chicago Tribune: "For a decade now, the call has gone out every year on the ninth day of the ninth month warning women about the dangers of drinking while pregnant, yet Fetal Alcohol Syndrome remains stubbornly below the national radar, some health officials say."
From Chicago Tribune: "For a decade now, the call has gone out every year on the ninth day of the ninth month warning women about the dangers of drinking while pregnant, yet Fetal Alcohol Syndrome remains stubbornly below the national radar, some health officials say."
Fetal Alcohol Disorders Often Misdiagnosed as ADHD
From HealthDay: "However, children with FASD have more difficulty interpreting social information than children with ADHD, and this results in more severe behavioral problems, the researchers found." (7/18/09)
From HealthDay: "However, children with FASD have more difficulty interpreting social information than children with ADHD, and this results in more severe behavioral problems, the researchers found." (7/18/09)
Children with FASD have more severe problems than children with ADHD
From Science Blog: "A first-of-its-kind study shows that children with FASD have a distinct behavioural profile: significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion-processing abilities than children with ADHD." (7/17/09)
From Science Blog: "A first-of-its-kind study shows that children with FASD have a distinct behavioural profile: significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion-processing abilities than children with ADHD." (7/17/09)
Hunting ways to protect babies when mom drinks
From AP: "Drinking during pregnancy can seriously harm a baby's brain, yet thousands of mothers-to-be still do. Now scientists have begun testing whether a prenatal nutrient might offer those babies a little protection, part of a growing quest for ways to reverse the damage." (6/23/09)
From AP: "Drinking during pregnancy can seriously harm a baby's brain, yet thousands of mothers-to-be still do. Now scientists have begun testing whether a prenatal nutrient might offer those babies a little protection, part of a growing quest for ways to reverse the damage." (6/23/09)
Specific genetic cause of FASD found
From Science Blog: "Alcohol consumption by pregnant women hinders brain development in their children by interfering with the genetic processes that control thyroid hormone levels in the fetal brain, a new animal study found." (6/11/09)
From Science Blog: "Alcohol consumption by pregnant women hinders brain development in their children by interfering with the genetic processes that control thyroid hormone levels in the fetal brain, a new animal study found." (6/11/09)
Bootleg Brothers
From Shanan Trail: "In the case of FASD, common doesn't translate into visible. People affected prenatally by alcohol have invisible disabilities. They look normal; the facial anomolies seen in FASD are extremely subtle. The expectation becomes that they should respond and behave normally too." (6/8/09)
From Shanan Trail: "In the case of FASD, common doesn't translate into visible. People affected prenatally by alcohol have invisible disabilities. They look normal; the facial anomolies seen in FASD are extremely subtle. The expectation becomes that they should respond and behave normally too." (6/8/09)
Genes May Alter Alcohol's Effect on Fetus
From HealthDay: "Study in mice could explain differing outcomes of drinking while pregnant." (4/23/09)
From HealthDay: "Study in mice could explain differing outcomes of drinking while pregnant." (4/23/09)
Dangerous Marginalization
From Shanan Trail: "Adults with atypical neurological development, developmental disabilities and mental illness are marginalized. They don't fit neatly and cleanly into the goals we have for our country." (2/24/09)
From Shanan Trail: "Adults with atypical neurological development, developmental disabilities and mental illness are marginalized. They don't fit neatly and cleanly into the goals we have for our country." (2/24/09)
Combined Measures Of Maternal Drinking Can Predict Resulting Problems
From Science Daily: "Researchers have now designed a 'metric' or combination of measures that appear better able than individual measures to predict prenatal neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children." (2/3/09)
From Science Daily: "Researchers have now designed a 'metric' or combination of measures that appear better able than individual measures to predict prenatal neurobehavioral dysfunction and deficits in children." (2/3/09)
After a Troubled Start, a Child Blossoms
From the New York Times: "Cornell Wright, born 12 weeks premature to a woman who used alcohol and cocaine during her pregnancy, spent his first five months in a hospital, suffering complications that included a brain hemorrhage, hepatitis B infection and lung deficits." But years later, in high school, he's doing well. (1/27/09)
From the New York Times: "Cornell Wright, born 12 weeks premature to a woman who used alcohol and cocaine during her pregnancy, spent his first five months in a hospital, suffering complications that included a brain hemorrhage, hepatitis B infection and lung deficits." But years later, in high school, he's doing well. (1/27/09)
Moms-to-Be Who Drink May Damage Fetus' White Matter
From HealthDay: "Study says brain microstructural changes may lead to cognitive problems." (12/20/08)
From HealthDay: "Study says brain microstructural changes may lead to cognitive problems." (12/20/08)
Living with a Child with FAS/FAE
From AdoptionBlogs.com: "There are several behavioral issues that are directly associated with fetal alcohol that drive most parents crazy. Even when you understand where these behaviors come from, they are still maddening." (9/17/08)
From AdoptionBlogs.com: "There are several behavioral issues that are directly associated with fetal alcohol that drive most parents crazy. Even when you understand where these behaviors come from, they are still maddening." (9/17/08)
In the Forum: FAS
A reader wonders: Can drinking alcohol while nursing cause FASD? (9/3/08)
A reader wonders: Can drinking alcohol while nursing cause FASD? (9/3/08)
Could Lecithin Supplements Help My Fetal Alcohol Effect Child?
Researchers found it improved memory when given prenatally, and might also help older "slow learners." (8/12/08)
Researchers found it improved memory when given prenatally, and might also help older "slow learners." (8/12/08)
Researchers block damage to fetal brain from maternal alcohol intake
Gee, it's nice to find a way to block the damage, but ... wouldn't it be easier for the pregnant women to not drink alcohol? And if they don't take the risk of FAS seriously enough to do that, are they going to do whatever treatment will come out of this research? (8/11/08)
Gee, it's nice to find a way to block the damage, but ... wouldn't it be easier for the pregnant women to not drink alcohol? And if they don't take the risk of FAS seriously enough to do that, are they going to do whatever treatment will come out of this research? (8/11/08)
Protective Factors for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Buddy T., the About.com guide to Alcoholism, has a good rundown of protective factors for the secondary conditions that may plague kids with FASD. (7/30/08)
Buddy T., the About.com guide to Alcoholism, has a good rundown of protective factors for the secondary conditions that may plague kids with FASD. (7/30/08)
The Hush Hush Disability
This post on the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs starts out "Do you know that you may choose to give your unborn child a birth defect? That a neuro-biological disorder can be almost guaranteed?" If you guessed it's about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, you're right. (7/30/08)
This post on the blog 5 Minutes for Special Needs starts out "Do you know that you may choose to give your unborn child a birth defect? That a neuro-biological disorder can be almost guaranteed?" If you guessed it's about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, you're right. (7/30/08)
Once Your Child Starts School Does it Matter How the LD Began
A post on Adoption Blogs wonders if getting a Fetal Alcohol diagnosis is really necessary once a child is in school and getting services for learning disabilities. I'd say, "Absolutely," because there are specific behavior management considerations with kids with FASD, and schools need to know about those. (7/28/07)
A post on Adoption Blogs wonders if getting a Fetal Alcohol diagnosis is really necessary once a child is in school and getting services for learning disabilities. I'd say, "Absolutely," because there are specific behavior management considerations with kids with FASD, and schools need to know about those. (7/28/07)
Was It a Disservice to Homeschool My Adopted Daughter With FAS
In a good news/bad news situation, a mom discovers she's tutored her daughter out of eligibility for the special services she needs. (7/24/08)
In a good news/bad news situation, a mom discovers she's tutored her daughter out of eligibility for the special services she needs. (7/24/08)
How Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Is Diagnosed
The About.com Guide to Alcoholism offers some information on FASD diagnosis and management. (7/10/08)
The About.com Guide to Alcoholism offers some information on FASD diagnosis and management. (7/10/08)
Adopted Daughte's IQ Score Continues to Increase Despite FAS
It's rare to see a story about FASD that isn't full of gloom and doom, so I was heartened to see this Adoption Blogs post, even though I haven't seen such an increase for my son. (7/9/08)
It's rare to see a story about FASD that isn't full of gloom and doom, so I was heartened to see this Adoption Blogs post, even though I haven't seen such an increase for my son. (7/9/08)
Eye blinks may spot kids with fetal alcohol syndrome
"Children exposed to alcohol in the womb have impaired eye blinks compared with their unexposed peers, researchers found in a study they conducted." (2/11/08)
"Children exposed to alcohol in the womb have impaired eye blinks compared with their unexposed peers, researchers found in a study they conducted." (2/11/08)
Cholesterol May Prevent Fetal Alcohol Damage
A study by researchers at Duke University showed that giving cholesterol supplements to pregnant alcoholic zebrafish kept the alcohol from damaging their offspring. (3/9/07)
A study by researchers at Duke University showed that giving cholesterol supplements to pregnant alcoholic zebrafish kept the alcohol from damaging their offspring. (3/9/07)
Italian School Study Finds High Levels of FAS, FASD
"Popular thought contends that drinking in Western Europe is more moderate than it is in the U.S. New findings indicate that drinking levels among some women in Italy are similar to those of high-risk drinkers in the new world, reflected in coexisting levels of FAS and FASD." (8/29/06)
"Popular thought contends that drinking in Western Europe is more moderate than it is in the U.S. New findings indicate that drinking levels among some women in Italy are similar to those of high-risk drinkers in the new world, reflected in coexisting levels of FAS and FASD." (8/29/06)
Fetal Alcohol Exposure: Baby's First Stool May Provide Clues
"Fetal alcohol exposure is usually determined through self-reported maternal consumption. Self-reported drinking, however, is often an unreliable measure. Researchers have found that the presence of certain fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium may provide a dependable biomarker of fetal alcohol exposure." (6/27/06)
"Fetal alcohol exposure is usually determined through self-reported maternal consumption. Self-reported drinking, however, is often an unreliable measure. Researchers have found that the presence of certain fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) in meconium may provide a dependable biomarker of fetal alcohol exposure." (6/27/06)
What alcohol does to a child
Time Magazine reports on studies showing one drink a day during the early months of pregnancy can result in a 2-point IQ drop. {5/29/06)
Time Magazine reports on studies showing one drink a day during the early months of pregnancy can result in a 2-point IQ drop. {5/29/06)
Circadian rhythms disturbed in children with FASD
Could the out-of-control behavior shown by children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder be due to something like a monumental case of jet lag? (4/28/06)
Could the out-of-control behavior shown by children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder be due to something like a monumental case of jet lag? (4/28/06)
Exercise may repair brain damage in kids with FASD
New research conducted at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute indicates that physical exercise can repair brain damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. (3/31/06)
New research conducted at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute indicates that physical exercise can repair brain damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. (3/31/06)
Doubts cast on author of FASD memoir
An article in LA Weekly claims that Nasdijj is not Navajo but a white writer who cribbed from Native American authors, and that the boys in his memoirs never existed. (1/26/06)
An article in LA Weekly claims that Nasdijj is not Navajo but a white writer who cribbed from Native American authors, and that the boys in his memoirs never existed. (1/26/06)
Eye-movement test for FASD shows promise
Researchers in Ontario, Canada, are developing an eye-movement test that can diagnose FASD. (11/11/05)
Researchers in Ontario, Canada, are developing an eye-movement test that can diagnose FASD. (11/11/05)