What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. This means that it is a condition which affects the brains development. It causes a range of cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Each person with FASD is affected differently. Once a person is diagnosed with FASD, appropriate care can be put in place to help support the person with FASD and their family.

What causes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

FASD is caused by exposure to alcohol whilst in the womb. When a pregnant person drinks, the alcohol in their bloodstream passes through the placenta and into the bloodstream of the fetus. Because the liver in the fetus is still developing, it cannot filter out the toxins from the alcohol. As a result, the toxins circulate in the fetal bloodstream and cause damage to brain cells and cells of the nervous system.

What are the symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

FASD can cause a range of symptoms. You may notice that a child has problems with:

  • movement, balance, vision and hearing
  • learning, concentration and memory
  • developing social skills and managing emotions
  • hyperactivity and impulsiveness
  • communication and speech
  • physical problems with the heart, kidneys, bones, joints and muscles.

What to do if you’re worried your child is displaying symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

Speak to a healthcare professional (e.g. your GP, health visitor or school nurse) if you are concerned about your child’s development or think they could have FASD. Early diagnosis can help to get the right support in place for your child and limit the impact of the condition on their daily life.

Healthcare professionals will need to know whether your child was exposed to alcohol during pregnancy to make a diagnosis of FASD. We know it may be difficult to talk about your concerns linking to FASD. However, you are not alone and conversations with a healthcare professional are non-judgemental - they are here to support you and your child to get the support you need.

How is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnosed?

If a diagnosis of FASD is suspected, a referral will be made to a specialist team for assessment.

The assessment is likely to include a physical examination and some tests to rule out genetic conditions that can present similarly to FASD.

A detailed assessment will be carried out to assess motor (movement) skills, language skills, cognition and emotional regulation.

A diagnosis is made when there is a history of alcohol exposure and evidence of long-standing symptoms affecting 3 or more brain functions.

Last updated : 3 September 2024

What support is available for children and young people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

There is no treatment to reverse FASD, but early diagnosis and support can make a big difference.

Healthcare specialists will work with children and their families to develop an individual management plan. This plan will set out what interventions and support are needed, as well as signposting children and their families to additional resources and appropriate services. The management plan should cover the immediate needs of the child, as well as considering their longer-term needs. This plan should help to coordinate care across the healthcare, social care, and education settings.

Appropriate care and support can help to prevent problems that may develop later in life, such as mental health problems and behavioural challenges.

Adults with FASD can be supported to live and work independently.

What support is available for families and carers of children and young people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

Support for families and carers should be provided within the child or young person’s individual management plan. This should include signposting to appropriate resources and services.

Support groups can be helpful as they allow you to connect with people in a similar situation. Support can be found through the FASD UK Alliance.

The National Organisation for FASD is a charitable organisation that provides support for people with FASD and their families. They can provide advice and guidance through their helpline.

What support is available for people who are pregnant?

There is no proven safe amount of alcohol intake in pregnancy. Even low amounts of alcohol can affect your baby, so the safest approach is that you do not drink at all during pregnancy. Not every baby exposed to alcohol during pregnancy will develop FASD, but no one can predict which babies will develop the condition. The more a pregnant person drinks, the greater the risk to the child.

No alcohol means no risk!

There is lots of support available for you during your pregnancy. If you find that you are struggling, you can talk to your midwife. They will be able to put the right support in place to ensure that you and your baby are cared for.

Advice for healthcare professionals, social care professionals and educators

Raising awareness of FASD is essential. When children and young people present with developmental problems, prenatal alcohol exposure is often not considered. Those working with children and young people should be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with the condition.

All children and young people with significant physical, developmental or behavioural difficulties and probable alcohol exposure should be referred for assessment. Further support can be accessed through local Health Visitors, School Nurses and GPs.

If you want to learn more about FASD, the National Organisation for FASD has a range of information and training resources for healthcare professionals, social care workers and educators.

For further information about FASD, please visit our Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together website.

Last updated : 3 September 2024