Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a condition that affects how a person’s brain and body develop.
It can lead to difficulties with learning, memory, managing emotions, and behaviour. FASD is caused by the fetus being exposed to alcohol during pregnancy (fetus is the term used for a baby before it is born).
FASD is a lifelong condition, but with the right support, people can thrive.
How does alcohol cause FASD?
If someone drinks alcohol while pregnant, it can pass through the placenta and affect the baby’s development.
Alcohol can harm the brain and other parts of the body while they are forming in the womb. This may lead to long-term effects on thinking, movement, and behaviour.
How does FASD present differently over time?
So that's a complex answer in terms of how people change with time. How do any of us change? Um I think what we have to take is that the brain is affected. The way that children become adults, how they develop is slower and so their maturity is slower. So they often present early on with symptoms where they will act younger. When they're starting to get further on, their learning will be slower.
When they're getting further on again, maybe into adolescence, they're acting more like a 10-year-old compared to a teenager. Um, and that gap gets bigger and bigger as they get on.
As we get into adulthood, the expectation that they can think for themselves and be responsible for themselves, that may not be the case until they're maybe in their 20s and 30s. And so, it's not that things can't develop. It's often just a slower trajectory, which the expectations of society putting on them means they don't achieve it. Um, and that leads to difficulties for those individuals. Now, beyond that, this is where it starts to get really complicated because individuals are different. And so we really have to take it that people will just develop slowly at different paces. And the core features that we look for, they will also start to show up in different ways as people get older.
Signs of FASD
Each person with FASD is different. Some common signs include:
- Difficulty with learning, memory, or focus
- Speech or language delays
- Problems with balance or coordination
- Difficulties with organisational skills and daily living
- Sometimes people may also have physical differences, including growth restrictions and differences in facial features
- Some people may also struggle with friendships, understanding emotions, or managing their behaviour.
Living with FASD
FASD affects people in different ways, and everyone has their own strengths and challenges.
Getting the right support at home, in school, and in the community can make a big difference. With understanding and help, people with FASD can lead full and rewarding lives.
Types of FASD diagnosis
There are two main types of diagnosis:
- FASD with sentinel facial features
- FASD without sentinel facial features
Only a small number of people have all three facial features linked to FASD:
- Short eye openings
- A smooth area between the nose and upper lip
- A thin upper lip
Having these features is not required for diagnosis.
Further reading
For professionals or anyone interested in the research behind FASD:
- Lange et al. (2017) - Global prevalence of FASD
- McCarthy et al. (2021) - UK study in Greater Manchester
- Popova et al. (2023) - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- SIGN 156 – National guidance used by the NHS