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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
From the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

What is FASD?
FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. It refers to conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), fetal alcohol effects (FAE), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). Each year, as many as 40,000 babies are born with an FASD, costing the Nation about $4 billion.

How is it caused?
The cause of FASD is a woman drinking alcohol during her pregnancy. Studies have found that any alcohol consumed by a pregnant woman can be harmful to the fetus, regardless of the form it takes (beer, wine, liquor, etc.).
Although no data show that a drink a day causes FASD, there is no proof that a drink a day, or any given amount of alcohol, will have no effects on a specific developing fetus. Each person absorbs and metabolizes alcohol differently. Therefore, although it is not known whether any given amount of alcohol will result in the birth of a child with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, the only definitely safe amount of alcohol to use during pregnancy is none.

How is it treated?
There is no cure for FASD, so children and adults with these disorders receive the same type of services as other individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disorders. For resources on services to FASD adults and children, visit the SAMHSHA Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence. (http://www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/about/index.cfm)
Because FASD is the only birth defect that is 100% preventable, our focus is on preventing the illness. For more information on Behavior Management Systems FASD prevention program is available from our Full Circle program (link to Full Circle page).