Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day

 INFO BULLETIN
For more information contact: Marijke Vonderbank FASD Diagnostic Coordinator Southern Health‐Santé Sud 1‐204‐346‐7039 Email/Courriel [email protected] Southern Health‐Santé Sud Marks Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day September 9th, 2013: Did you know that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a general term that describes the range of disabilities that may affect a child if the child's birth mother drank alcohol while she was pregnant. It is believed that 1 in 100 people may be affected because of alcohol use during pregnancy. FASD is often referred to as an invisible disability. The signs and symptoms of FASD may go unnoticed or be masked by other things in the individual’s life – and many do not receive the support and accommodation they require to succeed in life.  FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of harms caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy. These may include mental, behavioural, physical disabilities or learning difficulties. It can also cause intellectual impairment.  Medical diagnosis of FASD are: o FAS – fetal alcohol syndrome (growth delays, dysmorphic facial features, intellectual disabilities) o pFAS – partial fetal alcohol syndrome (partial growth delays, some dysmorphic facial features, intellectual disabilities) o ARND – Alcohol related neuro‐developmental disorder (no physical indicators, intellectual disabilities)  Women of all backgrounds, ethnicities and income levels use alcohol during pregnancy. No one knows how much alcohol a pregnant woman can safely drink. Drinking regularly, even one drink per day is considered to be high risk. Binge drinking (5 drinks or more on one occasion) is also considered high risk. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. “Don’t Snicker at FASD” ‐ Snickers Bars with Facts on FASD will be handed out throughout the region on September 9th, 2013 to help raise awareness for FASD. This Info Bulletin is published in English only as a communication tool intended for the media. If you would like to communicate with someone in the official language of your choice regarding content of this Bulletin, please contact the Southern Health‐Santé Sud Communications Unit at 204‐422‐3110. /Ce bulletin est publié en anglais seulement comme outil de communication avec les médias. Si vous désirez communiquer avec quelqu’un dans la langue officielle de votre choix au sujet de son contenu, veuillez contacter l’équipe de communications de Southern Health‐Santé Sud au 204‐422‐3110. 1 of 1