2448 Hamilton Road, Bright's Grove, Ontario N0N 1C0Phone: (519) 869-8026 E-Mail: info@faslink.org Website: www.faslink.org

FASlink Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society

FASlink Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society

Don’t Ask My Child to FlyDon’t Ask My Child to Fly

© Bruce Ritchie 1997© Bruce Ritchie 1997

for he has not wings.for he has not wings.

Don't ask my child to Don't ask my child to fly,fly,

.

Don't ask my child to remain Don't ask my child to remain calm amid the din,calm amid the din,Don't ask my child to remain Don't ask my child to remain calm amid the din,calm amid the din,

for her ability to screen out the for her ability to screen out the noises has been taken away.noises has been taken away.

Don't ask my child to be Don't ask my child to be careful with "strangers",careful with "strangers",Don't ask my child to be Don't ask my child to be careful with "strangers",careful with "strangers",

for he is affectionate with everyone and prey for the unscrupulous.

for he is affectionate with everyone and prey for the unscrupulous.

.

Don't ask my child to "settle down",

for the clock which works for you and I,

does not exist for her.

.

Don't ask my child to not Don't ask my child to not play with the toys of others,play with the toys of others,Don't ask my child to not Don't ask my child to not play with the toys of others,play with the toys of others,

for he has no concept of property.

for he has no concept of property.

Don’t ask my child to Don’t ask my child to remember you tomorrow,remember you tomorrow,

although you met today.although you met today.

.

Don't ask my child to heal Don't ask my child to heal your wounds,your wounds,

for her hands cannot hold a scalpel or sutures.

Don't ask my child to meet the Don't ask my child to meet the challenges set by society,challenges set by society,

for you have denied her the tools.for you have denied her the tools..

Don't ask my child to forgive Don't ask my child to forgive you for standing idly by,you for standing idly by,

while he was in trouble in his while he was in trouble in his mother's womb,mother's womb,

.

for he will,

but He may not.

An individual’s place, and success, in society is almost

entirely determined by neurological functioning.

An individual’s place, and success, in society is almost

entirely determined by neurological functioning.

• A neurologically injured child is unable to A neurologically injured child is unable to

meet the expectations of parents, family, meet the expectations of parents, family,

peers, school and career and can endure peers, school and career and can endure

a lifetime of failures. a lifetime of failures.

• The largest cause of neurological damage The largest cause of neurological damage

in children is prenatal exposure to alcohol.in children is prenatal exposure to alcohol.

• These children grow up to become adults. These children grow up to become adults.

• Often the neurological damage goes Often the neurological damage goes

undiagnosed, but not unpunished.undiagnosed, but not unpunished.

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), • Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), • Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS), • Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental

Disorders (ARND), • Static Encephalopathy (alcohol

exposed) (SE) and • Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

are all names for a spectrum of disorders caused when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol.

What is FASD?What is FASD?

"Of all the substances of abuse, including heroin, cocaine, and

marijuana, alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in

the fetus.”

--Institute of Medicine 1996 Report to Congress

GeneticsEthanol alone was found to interact with over 1000 genes and cell events.

Ethanol responsive genes directly regulate and are themselves regulated by the activity of other proteins and cell processes.

Uddin RK, Treadwell JA, Singh SMDepartment of Biology and Division of Medical Genetics, The University of Western Ontario

There is no safe level There is no safe level of alcohol consumption of alcohol consumption

during pregnancy.during pregnancy.

.

FASD is 100% PreventableFASD is 100% PreventableFASD is 100% PreventableFASD is 100% Preventable

www.faslink.orgwww.faslink.org

• Legally intoxicated is defined as a Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) of .08%.

• Permanent brain cell damage begins at a BAL of .07%.

• A 100 lb (45 kg) female consuming 5 standard drinks will reach a BAL of .25% - three times the legal limit. BAL reduces .01% per hour.

• A drink equals a 12 oz. regular beer, 1 oz. shot of 100 proof liquor, 1.5 oz. shot of 80 proof liquor, or 4 oz. glass of regular table wine.

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey, 2000/01

• 6.8% of girls ages 12 to 14 • 19.8% of girls age 12 to 19 • 26.0% ages 20 to 24 • 19.9% ages 20 to 34 consumed 5 or more

drinks on each occasion 12 or more times per year

An additional: • 13.8% of girls ages 12 to 14• 32.2% ages 15 to 34 consumed 5 or more

drinks on each occasion 1 to 11 times per year.

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

• 37% of babies have been exposed to multiple binges (5+ drinks/session), often before the girl knew she was pregnant.

• Another 42% are exposed to multiple sessions of 1 to 4 drinks per occasion.

• 15% to 18% continue to drink throughout the pregnancy, 4% at elevated levels.

• Maternal prenatal alcohol consumption even at low levels is adversely related to child behavior.

• The effect was observed at average exposure levels as low as 1 drink per week.

Alcohol Startle ResponseJust one glass of wine a week can make babies “jump” in the womb throughout a nine-month pregnancy. Experts believe this abnormal hyperactive behaviour is the result of alcohol slowing or retarding the formation of the central nervous system.

Ultrasound image of fetus when exposed to alcohol

• FASD is so grossly under-reported that the traditional FAS statistics are almost meaningless.

• Very few doctors have received any training in diagnosing FASD

• Many will not diagnose FASD for fear of stigmatizing the child and/or the mother.

• FASD is not a threshold condition.

• FASD is a continuum ranging from mild intellectual and behavioural issues to the extreme that often leads to profound disabilities or premature death.

• It is somewhere in the middle of the continuum that the issues attract the attention of parents, educators, medical and social work professionals, and eventually the justice system.

Incidence

• Most of the issues that attract sufficient attention are behavioural and performance issues.

• "The most outstanding characteristics of FAS are bad judgment and the inability to make the connection between an act and its consequences." (Streissguth, AP)

Incidence

• Approximately 20% of Canadian school age children are receiving special education services, most for conditions of the types known to be caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Alcohol as a teratogenAlcohol as a teratogenAlcohol as a teratogenAlcohol as a teratogen

• Foolish, drunken, or harebrain women most often bring forth children like unto themselves Aristotle in Problemata

• Behold, thou shalt conceive and bear a son: And now, drink no wine or strong drink.

Judges 13:7 (1070 B.C.)

Effects of Alcohol as a Teratogen on the Baby

Brain damage resulting from prenatal alcohol

photo: Clarren, 1986

Alcohol is toxic at all concentrationsAlcohol is toxic at all concentrations

• Damage varies due to volume Damage varies due to volume ingested, timing during pregnancy, ingested, timing during pregnancy, peak blood alcohol levels, genetics, peak blood alcohol levels, genetics, mother’s health and nutrition, and mother’s health and nutrition, and environmental factors.environmental factors.

FASD is a lifetime disabilityFASD is a lifetime disability

• It is not curable. A child does not It is not curable. A child does not "grow out of it". "grow out of it".

• However, early diagnosis and However, early diagnosis and intensive, and appropriate, intensive, and appropriate, intervention can make an enormous intervention can make an enormous difference in the prognosis for the difference in the prognosis for the child. child.

FAS – Only the tip of the iceberg• Fetal Alcohol

Syndrome• Partial Fetal Alcohol

Syndrome• Alcohol Related

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

• Alcohol Related Birth Defects

• Clinically suspect but appear normal

• Normal, but never reach their potential

Adapted from Streissguth

Early diagnosis can help prevent Early diagnosis can help prevent secondary disabilities such assecondary disabilities such as

•mental health problemsmental health problems•dropping out of schooldropping out of school•trouble with the law and trouble with the law and •substance abuse.substance abuse.

Parents often find that their ability Parents often find that their ability to cope with the child's behavior to cope with the child's behavior changes dramatically when they changes dramatically when they understand that the problems are understand that the problems are most likely based on most likely based on organic organic brain damagebrain damage, rather than the , rather than the child's choice to be inattentive or child's choice to be inattentive or uncooperative.uncooperative.

Parents often find that their ability Parents often find that their ability to cope with the child's behavior to cope with the child's behavior changes dramatically when they changes dramatically when they understand that the problems are understand that the problems are most likely based on most likely based on organic organic brain damagebrain damage, rather than the , rather than the child's choice to be inattentive or child's choice to be inattentive or uncooperative.uncooperative.

Prenatal alcohol damage can include:

Prenatal alcohol damage can include:

• Loss of intellectual functioning (IQ)Loss of intellectual functioning (IQ)

• Mild to severe vision problemsMild to severe vision problems

• Dangerously high pain toleranceDangerously high pain tolerance

• Severe loss of intellectual potentialSevere loss of intellectual potential

• Mental RetardationMental Retardation

• DyslexiaDyslexia

• Serious maxilo-facial deformitiesSerious maxilo-facial deformities

• Dental abnormalitiesDental abnormalities

• Cleft palateCleft palate

•Immune system malfunctioningImmune system malfunctioning

•Behavioral problemsBehavioral problems

•Attention deficit disordersAttention deficit disorders

•ADD/ADHDADD/ADHD

•Extreme impulsivenessExtreme impulsiveness

•Poor judgementPoor judgement

•Little or no retained memoryLittle or no retained memory

•DeafnessDeafness

•Little or no capacity for moral judgementLittle or no capacity for moral judgement

• Little or no capacity for interpersonal Little or no capacity for interpersonal empathyempathy

• Sociopathic behaviourSociopathic behaviour

• EpilepsyEpilepsy

• TremorsTremors

• Cerebral palsyCerebral palsy

• Renal failureRenal failure

• AsthmaAsthma

• Complex seizure disorderComplex seizure disorder

• Developmental speech and language Developmental speech and language disorderdisorder

• Developmental delayDevelopmental delay

• Height and weight deficienciesHeight and weight deficiencies

• Tight hamstringsTight hamstrings

• Cognitive perseverationCognitive perseveration

• EcholaliaEcholalia

• Autistic traitsAutistic traits

• RigidityRigidity

• Sleep disorderSleep disorder

• Developmental coordination disorderDevelopmental coordination disorder

• Adaptive esotropiaAdaptive esotropia

• Tourette's traitsTourette's traits

• Central auditory processing disorderCentral auditory processing disorder

• Night terrorsNight terrors

• Precocious pubertyPrecocious puberty

• Social problemsSocial problems

• DepressionDepression

• Reactive outburstsReactive outbursts

• Heart defectsHeart defects

• Heart failureHeart failure

• Suicide Suicide

• DeathDeath

FAS Physical AbnormalitiesFAS Physical Abnormalities• 98% are under normal height and weight• 84% Microcephalic• 89% Mental and Motor Retardation• 80% Speech impediments• 20% Hearing problems• 20% Swallowing/Feeding problems• 72% Hyperactive• 58% Slack muscles• 20% Autism/Aggressive/Social Problems

FAS Physical AbnormalitiesFAS Physical Abnormalities• 95% Facial anomalies• 29% Heart defects• 10% Kidney defects• 46% Genital deformities• 25% Eye problems• 16% Bent crooked little finger• 51% Shortened and bent little finger• 13% Underdeveloped fingers• 9% Hip deformities• 16% Small teeth

FAS Physical AbnormalitiesFAS Physical Abnormalities

• 30% Pigeon Chest

• 7% Concave chest

• 7% Cleft palate

• 44% Spinal dimple

• 12% Hernia

• 35% Hairgrowth on back of neck

Without diagnosis, FASD can Without diagnosis, FASD can create a number of secondary create a number of secondary

disabilities.disabilities.

The girls get knocked up and The girls get knocked up and the boys get locked up.the boys get locked up.

They are followers, easily misled, with little or They are followers, easily misled, with little or no appreciation of consequences. Without no appreciation of consequences. Without intervention, many intervention, many drop out of schooldrop out of school, ride , ride the the justice systemjustice system merry-go-round or merry-go-round or become "become "homeless street people and homeless street people and squeegee kidssqueegee kids". ".

They are required to compete in society but They are required to compete in society but have been denied the tools to do so.have been denied the tools to do so.

The brain's Frontal Lobes control:

judgement, inhibition, concentration, self-control, conscience, personality and emotional traits as well as cognition and memory, motor speech and movement skills.

The The Left Left HemisphereHemisphere

• deals with language based memorydeals with language based memory

• logical interpretation of languagelogical interpretation of language

• mathematicsmathematics

• abstraction and reasoningabstraction and reasoning

• facts and rules (such as safety and social).facts and rules (such as safety and social).

The The RightRight Hemisphere Hemisphere

• deals with deals with holistic functioningholistic functioning

• processing of images, sound, touch, processing of images, sound, touch,

• for a "holistic" picture. for a "holistic" picture.

• Memory here is visual, auditory and Memory here is visual, auditory and spatial.spatial.

So, the Left side is logic, facts, So, the Left side is logic, facts, rules. rules.

The Right side is sensory input The Right side is sensory input and reactive.and reactive.

The The Corpus CallosumCorpus Callosum

connects right and left sides to allow connects right and left sides to allow communication between the hemispheres.communication between the hemispheres.

The Right side senses input, checks with the Left side to see if there are rules to deal with this pattern of input, integrates the stored information and reacts in a modified way.

The Right side senses input, checks with the Left side to see if there are rules to deal with this pattern of input, integrates the stored information and reacts in a modified way.

• Damage to any of these systems causes very poor, impulsive and inappropriate response.

• Damage to any of these systems causes very poor, impulsive and inappropriate response.

Alcohol seriously damages Alcohol seriously damages the physical structures, the physical structures,

"wiring" and brain "wiring" and brain chemistry.chemistry.

FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) individuals have a distinctive individuals have a distinctive physical appearance and lower physical appearance and lower IQs, but have lower crime and IQs, but have lower crime and addiction rates than individuals addiction rates than individuals with FAE/ARND as they get with FAE/ARND as they get earlier diagnosis and can be earlier diagnosis and can be better protected by society and better protected by society and their parents.their parents.

FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) individuals have a distinctive individuals have a distinctive physical appearance and lower physical appearance and lower IQs, but have lower crime and IQs, but have lower crime and addiction rates than individuals addiction rates than individuals with FAE/ARND as they get with FAE/ARND as they get earlier diagnosis and can be earlier diagnosis and can be better protected by society and better protected by society and their parents.their parents.

photo: Clarren

While individuals with FAE (Fetal Alcohol While individuals with FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) / ARND (Alcohol Related Effects) / ARND (Alcohol Related

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) may Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) may lack the outward physical appearance of lack the outward physical appearance of alcohol damage, the internal damage to alcohol damage, the internal damage to

the brain and other organs can be just as the brain and other organs can be just as serious as FAS with the outward physical serious as FAS with the outward physical

appearance features.appearance features.

While individuals with FAE (Fetal Alcohol While individuals with FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) / ARND (Alcohol Related Effects) / ARND (Alcohol Related

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) may Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) may lack the outward physical appearance of lack the outward physical appearance of alcohol damage, the internal damage to alcohol damage, the internal damage to

the brain and other organs can be just as the brain and other organs can be just as serious as FAS with the outward physical serious as FAS with the outward physical

appearance features.appearance features.

However, because individuals with However, because individuals with ARND / FAE "ARND / FAE "look normallook normal" they are " they are expected to perform normally. These expected to perform normally. These issues lead to secondary disabilities.issues lead to secondary disabilities.

However, because individuals with However, because individuals with ARND / FAE "ARND / FAE "look normallook normal" they are " they are expected to perform normally. These expected to perform normally. These issues lead to secondary disabilities.issues lead to secondary disabilities.

Individuals with ARND / FAE between the ages of 12 and 51:

95% will have mental health problems;95% will have mental health problems; 68% will have "disrupted school experience";68% will have "disrupted school experience"; 68% will experience trouble with the law;68% will experience trouble with the law; 55% will be confined in prison, drug or alcohol 55% will be confined in prison, drug or alcohol

treatment centre or mental institution;treatment centre or mental institution; 52% will exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviour.52% will exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Individuals with ARND / FAE Individuals with ARND / FAE between 21 and 51between 21 and 51::

more than 50% of males and 70% of more than 50% of males and 70% of females will have alcohol and drug females will have alcohol and drug problems;problems;

82% will not be able to live independently;82% will not be able to live independently; 70% will have problems with employment70% will have problems with employment

• You cannot cure brain injury with You cannot cure brain injury with punishment.punishment.

It is useless and cruel to punish It is useless and cruel to punish someone for having been born with a someone for having been born with a disability.disability.

Costs of FASD:

• Each individual with FAS individual costs the Each individual with FAS individual costs the taxpayer more than taxpayer more than $3 million$3 million (Canadian Funds) (Canadian Funds) in his or her lifetime (health problems, special in his or her lifetime (health problems, special education, psychotherapy and counseling, education, psychotherapy and counseling, welfare, crime, and the justice system). welfare, crime, and the justice system).

• More than More than 50% of prisoners50% of prisoners are affected by are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. prenatal alcohol exposure.

• It costs approximately It costs approximately $120,000/year $120,000/year to imprison to imprison a Young Offender and a Young Offender and $82,000$82,000 for for an adult an adult offender. offender.

Add on:Add on:

the lifetime loss of incomethe lifetime loss of income the high costs to the families (foster, the high costs to the families (foster,

adoptive or biological) who raise and adoptive or biological) who raise and care for children and adults with FASD care for children and adults with FASD

the lost income of a parent who must the lost income of a parent who must care for the exceptionally high needs of care for the exceptionally high needs of a child with FASDa child with FASD

Add on:

the costs to families whose child with FASD is the costs to families whose child with FASD is permanently dependent upon thempermanently dependent upon them

the costs of legal services for defending their the costs of legal services for defending their child in the courtschild in the courts

the cost of stress caused divorce, etc. the cost of stress caused divorce, etc. The list goes on and on. The list goes on and on.

DemonstrationDemonstration

Break a raw egg into a wine glass. Add one ounce of alcohol. Watch the clear

part develop white streaks as the alcohol "cooks" it.

That is your baby's brain on alcohol.

Break a raw egg into a wine glass. Add one ounce of alcohol. Watch the clear

part develop white streaks as the alcohol "cooks" it.

That is your baby's brain on alcohol.

Student ChecklistStudent Checklist

• learns a simple task but forgets quickly learns a simple task but forgets quickly

• hurts others by biting, kicking, etc. hurts others by biting, kicking, etc.

• has not developed any friendships has not developed any friendships

• seems not to hear so a hearing loss is seems not to hear so a hearing loss is suspected suspected

• frequently does not attend to social / frequently does not attend to social / environmental stimuli environmental stimuli

• does not use toys appropriatelydoes not use toys appropriately

• does not follow simple commands that are given once

• strong reactions to routine/changes in environment

• does a lot of lunging and darting about

• not responsive to other people's facial expressions/feelings

• has special abilities in one area of development which seems to rule out mental retardation

• Speech does not follow simple commands involving prepositions

• severe temper tantrums or frequent minor tantrums

• does not imitate other children at play

• does not wait for needs to be met, wants things immediately

• difficulties with toilet training

• often frightened or very anxious

• looks through people

• frequently unaware of surroundings and may be oblivious to dangerous situations

• is very destructive

• a developmental delay was identified at or about 30 months of age

• stares into space for long periods of time

• as a baby was irritable with weak sucking reflex

• as a baby had feeding difficulties

• as a baby experienced difficulty establishing regular sleeping patterns

• not afraid of strangers

• short for age

• small head

• strong need for bodily contact (patting, touching, etc.)

• problems in fine motor control

• problems in gross motor-control

• trouble with sequencing (counting, etc.)

• difficulty controlling impulses

• Difficulty predicting consequences

• difficulty understanding abstract concepts

• difficulty seeing sameness in daily living situations and in making generalizations

Some Solutions:Some Solutions:Medical EducationMedical Education

• Teach physicians and other health Teach physicians and other health professionals to screen, diagnose and treat professionals to screen, diagnose and treat FASD.FASD.

• Recognize and deal with the continuum, not Recognize and deal with the continuum, not just the extremes of FASD.just the extremes of FASD.

• Actively screen for alcohol use in all Actively screen for alcohol use in all patients and give advice.patients and give advice.

• Recognize medical issues of alcohol and all Recognize medical issues of alcohol and all personal, family and societal ramifications.personal, family and societal ramifications.

Some Solutions:Some Solutions:FASD PreventionFASD Prevention

• Folic AcidFolic Acid should be added to all beverage should be added to all beverage alcohol.alcohol.

• Break the cycle. Properly fund addiction Break the cycle. Properly fund addiction intervention and rehabilitation programs.intervention and rehabilitation programs.

• Identify women at risk of having children Identify women at risk of having children with FASD and intervene. with FASD and intervene.

• Meconium testingMeconium testing for Fatty Acid Ethyl for Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters should be mandatory for every birth.Esters should be mandatory for every birth.

• Intensive family and social service supports Intensive family and social service supports for FASD and recovering alcoholics.for FASD and recovering alcoholics.

• Poverty is a result of, and breeds, substance Poverty is a result of, and breeds, substance abuse. Deal with it.abuse. Deal with it.

Some Solutions:Some Solutions:Alcohol VendorsAlcohol Vendors

• The beverage alcohol industry pays less than The beverage alcohol industry pays less than 1% of the total damages caused by their 1% of the total damages caused by their products. Increase taxes on beverage alcohol.products. Increase taxes on beverage alcohol.

• All tax revenue to be returned to support All tax revenue to be returned to support rehabilitation programs and victims of rehabilitation programs and victims of alcohol.alcohol.

• Remove all incentives for governments to Remove all incentives for governments to promote alcohol.promote alcohol.

Some Solutions:Some Solutions:Alcohol VendorsAlcohol Vendors• End all government supports for beverage End all government supports for beverage

alcohol industry, including "wine and beer alcohol industry, including "wine and beer tourism".tourism".

• End all alcohol advertising.End all alcohol advertising.• Alcohol must be served with food.Alcohol must be served with food.• Breathalyzers in all alcohol establishments.Breathalyzers in all alcohol establishments.• Ban alcohol sales incentives, contests, Ban alcohol sales incentives, contests,

games.games.• Ban "Happy Hour" discounted promotions. Ban "Happy Hour" discounted promotions.

They encourage binge drinking.They encourage binge drinking.

Some Solutions:Some Solutions:Public EducationPublic Education

• Educate the public that addiction is a Educate the public that addiction is a medical issue not a moral failure.medical issue not a moral failure.

• Educate children from a very young Educate children from a very young age about dangers of alcohol.age about dangers of alcohol.

• Have youth design anti-alcohol Have youth design anti-alcohol programs targeting youth.programs targeting youth.

• The ONLY purpose of beverage alcohol The ONLY purpose of beverage alcohol is to make your brain take a hike.is to make your brain take a hike.

Some Solutions:Some Solutions:

ResearchResearch

• Better diagnostic tools for the full Better diagnostic tools for the full range of FASD damage.range of FASD damage.

• True incidence and scaling of FASD True incidence and scaling of FASD damage.damage.

• Chemically turn-off addiction center in Chemically turn-off addiction center in brain.brain.

Prevention – The Birth to 3 Program Parent-child assistance program

Intensive home visitation model for the highest risk mothers

Paraprofessional Advocates Paired with client for 3 years following the birth of the

target Baby Link clients with community services Extensively trained and closely supervised Maximum caseload of 15

Outcomes Fewer alcohol/drug affected children Reduced foster care placement Reduced dependence on welfare

Grant, T.M., 1999; Ernst, C.C., et al. 1999

Discussion Topics• FASlink Support• Family environment• Community healing• The Professionals• Addiction recovery• Medication• Calming techniques• Furniture safety

– Sleeping tent

• Early diagnosis• Early intervention

• FASlink Support• Family environment• Community healing• The Professionals• Addiction recovery• Medication• Calming techniques• Furniture safety

– Sleeping tent

• Early diagnosis• Early intervention

• School intervention• Justice System• Careers• Financial Help

– Disability Income

– Special Services at Home

– Disability Tax Credit

• Friendships– Scouting

– School

– Music

• School intervention• Justice System• Careers• Financial Help

– Disability Income

– Special Services at Home

– Disability Tax Credit

• Friendships– Scouting

– School

– Music

FASlinkFASlink

• provides provides InternetInternet onlineonline information and information and support resources for those dealing with support resources for those dealing with medical, legal and educational issues of medical, legal and educational issues of children prenatally exposed to alcohol. children prenatally exposed to alcohol.

FASlinkFASlink

• FASlink serves parents (birth, foster, FASlink serves parents (birth, foster, adoptive and grandparents), caregivers, adoptive and grandparents), caregivers, adults with FAS, doctors, teachers, social adults with FAS, doctors, teachers, social workers, lawyers, students, government workers, lawyers, students, government policy makers, and others whose lives are policy makers, and others whose lives are touched by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.touched by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

• FASlink serves parents (birth, foster, FASlink serves parents (birth, foster, adoptive and grandparents), caregivers, adoptive and grandparents), caregivers, adults with FAS, doctors, teachers, social adults with FAS, doctors, teachers, social workers, lawyers, students, government workers, lawyers, students, government policy makers, and others whose lives are policy makers, and others whose lives are touched by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.touched by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

www.faslink.orgwww.faslink.org

FASlinkFASlink

• FASlink’s website serves more than 400,000 people annually.

• FASlink receives about FASlink receives about 100100 letters per day letters per day to be shared with the members through the to be shared with the members through the FASlink Discussion Forum.FASlink Discussion Forum.

• FASlink’s website serves more than 400,000 people annually.

• FASlink receives about FASlink receives about 100100 letters per day letters per day to be shared with the members through the to be shared with the members through the FASlink Discussion Forum.FASlink Discussion Forum.

FASlinkFASlink

• The The FASlink ArchivesFASlink Archives are an online are an online searchable database of more than searchable database of more than 100,000100,000 letters and articles on FASD issues. letters and articles on FASD issues.

• It is the largest FASD resource in the It is the largest FASD resource in the world.world.

• The The FASlink ArchivesFASlink Archives are an online are an online searchable database of more than searchable database of more than 100,000100,000 letters and articles on FASD issues. letters and articles on FASD issues.

• It is the largest FASD resource in the It is the largest FASD resource in the world.world.

FASlink provides:FASlink provides:

• Information, advocacy and support services Information, advocacy and support services for individuals and families dealing with for individuals and families dealing with FASDFASD

• Education of professionals (medical, Education of professionals (medical, educational, social services and justice)educational, social services and justice)

• Electronic publishing of Internet and Electronic publishing of Internet and CDROM based FAS information and toolsCDROM based FAS information and tools

• Information, advocacy and support services Information, advocacy and support services for individuals and families dealing with for individuals and families dealing with FASDFASD

• Education of professionals (medical, Education of professionals (medical, educational, social services and justice)educational, social services and justice)

• Electronic publishing of Internet and Electronic publishing of Internet and CDROM based FAS information and toolsCDROM based FAS information and tools

FASlink provides:FASlink provides:• Initiatives in public information and educationInitiatives in public information and education

• Monitoring of company, governmental and Monitoring of company, governmental and NPO activities, research and legislation that NPO activities, research and legislation that may affect FAS individuals.may affect FAS individuals.

International co-operation and supportInternational co-operation and support

Concept development for long-term care Concept development for long-term care options.options.

• Initiatives in public information and educationInitiatives in public information and education

• Monitoring of company, governmental and Monitoring of company, governmental and NPO activities, research and legislation that NPO activities, research and legislation that may affect FAS individuals.may affect FAS individuals.

International co-operation and supportInternational co-operation and support

Concept development for long-term care Concept development for long-term care options.options.

FASlink provides:FASlink provides: Initiatives for the development of diagnostic

clinics

Concept development for rehab facilities for pregnant substance abusers and their dependant children.

Development of alternatives to justice system incarceration for individuals with prenatal brain injury.

Initiatives for the development of diagnostic clinics

Concept development for rehab facilities for pregnant substance abusers and their dependant children.

Development of alternatives to justice system incarceration for individuals with prenatal brain injury.

FASD is 100% PreventableFASD is 100% PreventableFASD is 100% PreventableFASD is 100% Preventable

www.faslink.orgwww.faslink.org