What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can happen if your baby is exposed to alcohol at any stage of your pregnancy.

FASD is a term used to cover a group of conditions. It describes how being exposed to alcohol before you are born impacts both your brain and body.

FASD is a whole-body condition. It may affect your ability to:

• think
• learn
• focus attention
• manage behaviour
• manage emotions

These difficulties are lifelong.

FASD is often seen as an ‘invisible disability’. This is because it is often undetected.

What symptoms are related to FASD?

The symptoms of FASD vary from person to person. This is because the symptoms depend on many things, including:

• genetics
• the amount, frequency and pattern of alcohol drinking during pregnancy
• the mother’s age and health

FASD might not be easy to see when a baby is born. It’s often not noticed until preschool or school, when behavioural and learning difficulties become more obvious.

Behavioural and learning differences

It’s only as your baby gets older that you may see differences in their behaviour and learning. Sometimes these are put down to other conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Facial differences

FASD can affect how your baby’s face looks. They might have one or more of the following:

• a small face
• narrow eyes
• a short, upturned nose
• smooth philtrum (the ridges between their nose and upper lip)
• a thin upper lip

However, most people with FASD do not have these facial differences.

What causes FASD?

FASD is caused by drinking alcohol when you’re pregnant.

The alcohol passes from your blood through your placenta and to your baby. This can seriously affect their growth, particularly their brain.

It can cause a wide range of birth differences. These are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

The current Australian alcohol guidelines advise not to drink any alcohol while pregnant. This is because drinking alcohol when pregnant can seriously harm your baby.

When should I see my doctor?

If you’re concerned that your child may have FASD, you should see your doctor. Your doctor may refer you to a FASD clinic or FASD-informed service.

You may want to consider having your child tested for FASD if:

• you drank alcohol before you knew that you were pregnant
• you drank alcohol during pregnancy
• your child is not growing and developing as expected
• your child is having learning or behavioural problems
• your child is having problems getting along with others
• your child has FASD facial features

You can record your reflections on your child using the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders’ tool, FASD — A Checklist. This can assist with the assessment and diagnosis.

How is FASD diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your child and examine them. While there are no specific tests for FASD, there are diagnostic criteria.

You can learn more about the diagnosis process in the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.

Diagnosing FASD early is important in helping your child reach their full potential. An early diagnosis can be a ‘protective factor’. A protective factor is something that stops one problem from causing another problem.

An FASD diagnosis can:

• help you better understand your child and their behaviour
• help older children and adults better understand themselves
• find the best support and services
• help guide doctors, teachers and families

How is FASD treated?

There is no single treatment for FASD. You can help your child to manage their symptoms by getting the medical and social support they need. Your doctor can help you decide which of these services are best for your child.

Services that can support your child’s development may include:

• occupational therapy — to help develop movement and thinking skills, social skills and independent living skills
• speech therapy — which supports speech development and communication
• physiotherapy — can help to encourage the development of your child’s motor (movement) skills

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be able to help you with the costs of some of these supports. To get support from the NDIS, there must be proof that your child has a long-term disability.

To learn more about strategies that can lead to better results for children with FASD, visit the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders' (NOFASD) website.

Can FASD be prevented?

Not drinking alcohol during pregnancy prevents FASD.

It’s best to not drink alcohol when you’re planning a pregnancy, as well as when you are pregnant.

Complications of FASD

People with FASD are more likely to also have other conditions, such as:

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

People with FASD can also have other problems, such as:

• problems with learning and attention
• low self-esteem
• mental illness — including anxiety and depression
• drug and alcohol problems

Resources and support

It’s not easy to raise a child with FASD. However, there are organisations in Australia that offer support for parents of children with FASD.

The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (NOFASD) provides support and resources for:

• families caring for someone with FASD
• adults who may have FASD
• professionals supporting those with FASD

You can call the NOFASD Australia national helpline on 1800 860 613.

The FASD Hub Australia — also offers information and resources for:

• parents and carers
• teachers
• health professionals

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.