Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Definition:

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) refers to the range of neurological impairments that can affect a child who has been exposed to alcohol in the womb. A number of factors, including how much the mother drank and at what point during the pregnancy, can influence the severity of the impairments and what functions they most affect. Children with FASD can display symptoms of ADHD, autism, Asperger syndrome, Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, mental retardation and various psychiatric disorders, but will often not respond to traditional treatments for those disabilities. FASD was formerly referred to as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects, but the new designation better indicates the range of abilities and disabilities experienced by individuals exposed to alcohol in utero.

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Also Known As: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Effects, Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, prenatal alcohol exposure

Alternate Spellings: Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, Foetal Alcohol Effects, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder