What are the long term effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD)?
Children born with FAS or ARBD can face the effects of alcohol for their entire lifetime. The primary disabilities, brain damage and physical deficits, caused by alcohol cannot be reversed. Without proper and timely intervention, alcohol effected children can also develop secondary disabilities. Examples of secondary disabilities are Mental health problems Problems at school Alcohol/Drug problems Problems with employment Independent living difficulties While primary disabilities cannot be prevented, secondary disabilities can. Research has shown that there are certain factors which prevent alcohol effected children from developing secondary disabilities. These factors are called universal protective factors. Some examples are Living in a stable and nurturing home Being properly diagnosed especially at a young age (before 6) Never experiencing personal violence Receiving proper disability services Having basic needs met References: Streissguth, A. P., Barr, H. M., Kogan, J., Bookstein,
