Fetal AlcoholFetal Alcohol
SpectrumSpectrum
DisorderDisorderWhat is it ??What is it ??
FASD is the term used to describe the fullFASD is the term used to describe the full
range of harm that is caused by alcoholrange of harm that is caused by alcohol
used during pregnancyused during pregnancy
FASD is damage to the brain that isFASD is damage to the brain that is
permanent and irreversible, drugs has lesspermanent and irreversible, drugs has less
effect on the brain then Alcohol does whileeffect on the brain then Alcohol does while
the woman is pregnantthe woman is pregnant
For most to make anything out of their livesFor most to make anything out of their lives
they need an “external brain” to led them inthey need an “external brain” to led them in
the proper directionthe proper direction

Comparison of the Brain - On the left that of a normal 6 week old, andComparison of the Brain - On the left that of a normal 6 week old, and
on the right one that has been effected by alcoholon the right one that has been effected by alcohol

FASDFASD
 FASD is the “invisible disorder” – when youFASD is the “invisible disorder” – when you
encounter someone they will look as normal asencounter someone they will look as normal as
anyone else in most cases, but when givenanyone else in most cases, but when given
directions they will only catch a few words in whatdirections they will only catch a few words in what
your telling themyour telling them
 Here is how they hear what we say….Here is how they hear what we say….
 I cdnuoit blveiee that I cluod aulacity uesdnatnrdI cdnuoit blveiee that I cluod aulacity uesdnatnrd
waht I was redanieg. Tihs is bcuseae the huamnwaht I was redanieg. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn
mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but themnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the
wrods as a wlohe. Amzanig huh ?wrods as a wlohe. Amzanig huh ?

Signs of FASD toSigns of FASD to
watch forwatch for
 Forgetfulness (within minutes of being toldForgetfulness (within minutes of being told
something)something)
 Short tempered, refuse to step down or back offShort tempered, refuse to step down or back off
 ImpulsivnessImpulsivness
 Lack of self control – very much a followerLack of self control – very much a follower
 Oppositional / Argumentative / ViolentOppositional / Argumentative / Violent
 Struggle socially – usually a pawn to do dirty workStruggle socially – usually a pawn to do dirty work
 Poor / Lack of physical hygienePoor / Lack of physical hygiene
 No remorse / concern for outcome of actionsNo remorse / concern for outcome of actions
 Low emotional ageLow emotional age
 Poor memoryPoor memory

Profile of an averageProfile of an average
18 yr old FASD person18 yr old FASD person
 Expressive Language - 20 year oldExpressive Language - 20 year old
 Comprehension - 6 year oldComprehension - 6 year old
 Knowledge of Money and Time - 8 year oldKnowledge of Money and Time - 8 year old
 Emotional Maturity - 6 year oldEmotional Maturity - 6 year old
 Physical Maturity - 18 year oldPhysical Maturity - 18 year old
 Reading - 16 year oldReading - 16 year old
 Social skills - 7 year oldSocial skills - 7 year old
 Living skills - 11 year oldLiving skills - 11 year old
*although reading is almost at the age level of 18 years they do not*although reading is almost at the age level of 18 years they do not
comprehend what they just readcomprehend what they just read
*only in exceptional cases do you see facial features that can identify*only in exceptional cases do you see facial features that can identify
FASD – small eyes – giving the appearance of wide spaceFASD – small eyes – giving the appearance of wide space
across bridge of nose. Smooth phitrum (crease on upper lip)across bridge of nose. Smooth phitrum (crease on upper lip)
and thin upper lip.and thin upper lip.

People with FASDPeople with FASD
often:often:
 Absorb the emotion around them or “in the room” if youAbsorb the emotion around them or “in the room” if you
are yelling and screaming they will do it right backare yelling and screaming they will do it right back
– isolate and speak calmly.– isolate and speak calmly.
 Can’t understand the here and now with the futureCan’t understand the here and now with the future
- speak at their level to understand- speak at their level to understand
 Often have a huge response to very little stimulusOften have a huge response to very little stimulus
(Overreact ) usually violently as their brain doesn’t(Overreact ) usually violently as their brain doesn’t
understandunderstand – remove the source of the stimulus– remove the source of the stimulus
 Can become focused on an item / event and can’t dropCan become focused on an item / event and can’t drop
itit – remove to an area with minimal distractions– remove to an area with minimal distractions
 Although appearing normal they have trouble with theAlthough appearing normal they have trouble with the
simplest instructions and directionssimplest instructions and directions – speak in terms– speak in terms
they will understand, at a slower speedthey will understand, at a slower speed

Executive ImpairmentExecutive Impairment
IssuesIssues
 These people struggle as well with everydayThese people struggle as well with everyday
functions such as:functions such as:
 InhibitionsInhibitions
 PlanningPlanning
 Time perceptionTime perception
 Internal orderingInternal ordering
 Working memoryWorking memory
 Self-monitoringSelf-monitoring
 Verbal self –regulationVerbal self –regulation
 Regulation of emotionRegulation of emotion
 MotivationMotivation

Associated disordersAssociated disorders
to FASDto FASD
 Attachment disorder (RAD)Attachment disorder (RAD)
 Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
 Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
 Autism / Tourette’s SyndromeAutism / Tourette’s Syndrome
 Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
 Conduct Disorder (CD)Conduct Disorder (CD)
 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
 Language / Learning Disability (LD)Language / Learning Disability (LD)
 Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID)Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID)
 Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD)Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD)

Reaction to stress andReaction to stress and
fear is usually fight orfear is usually fight or
flight….flight….
 often have what may typically beoften have what may typically be
considered an “over reaction” to stressfulconsidered an “over reaction” to stressful
situations, this usually leads to “fight orsituations, this usually leads to “fight or
flight” episodes. These can result fromflight” episodes. These can result from
the simplest conversations – but its theirthe simplest conversations – but its their
lack of not being able to understand whatlack of not being able to understand what
they are being told or the directions theythey are being told or the directions they
are given…..most cases it will be fightare given…..most cases it will be fight

Take intoTake into
consideration…consideration…
 A person suffering from FASD is only as good as theA person suffering from FASD is only as good as the
environment he / she is associated withenvironment he / she is associated with
 FASD people are aFASD people are a “10 second person trying to live and“10 second person trying to live and
survive in a 1 second worldsurvive in a 1 second world ““
 People suffer from FASD should be considered one of thePeople suffer from FASD should be considered one of the
most vulnerable people in society – 1 in 1000 are effectedmost vulnerable people in society – 1 in 1000 are effected
with FASD, most common cause of brain damage presentlywith FASD, most common cause of brain damage presently
in North America ( numbers based on reported cases soin North America ( numbers based on reported cases so
many go wrongly diagnosed or unreported ).many go wrongly diagnosed or unreported ).
 Their lives require principles, structure, and cues to directTheir lives require principles, structure, and cues to direct
and assist with their memory deficitand assist with their memory deficit
 Think brain, not behaviour….Think brain, not behaviour….

If I can leave you withIf I can leave you with
one thoughtone thought
 Please remember that FASD is not thePlease remember that FASD is not the
person it is the brain… our loved ones haveperson it is the brain… our loved ones have
no control and as hard as it is to rememberno control and as hard as it is to remember
this all the time step back and think beforethis all the time step back and think before
you act. They will love you for it !!!you act. They will love you for it !!!
 Thanks for reading this brief presentation.Thanks for reading this brief presentation.
 Jeff Gowland – Hamilton Police Service,Jeff Gowland – Hamilton Police Service,
Hamilton Ontario CanadaHamilton Ontario Canada
 Father of an incredibly 14 yr old with ARNDFather of an incredibly 14 yr old with ARND