Do you suspect that your child or teen may be affected by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy? Connect with other parents at the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder support group.
Alcohol exposure can affect the developing fetus in several ways. The related condition is called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD. The resulting issues tend to be in the areas of behavior and school-related challenges.
A child may not have the typical facial characteristics that many often believe indicate fetal alcohol exposure. In fact, he or she may be of normal intelligence and have no physical symptoms. However, the developing brain may have been affected so that they:
- Make poor decisions
- Do not consider the consequences of their actions
- Act out when frustrated and have melt-downs
- Steal
- Lie even when the truth would do just as well
- May be considered ADHD, emotionally disordered, learning disabled
- Do not remember what they have been taught
Join the monthly fetal alcohol spectrum disorder support group for foster & adoptive families affected by FASD. Learn alongside other families facing the same challenges.
- 3rd Wednesday of each month
- 7:30 – 9 PM Pacific Time
Check the PHP website for future meeting dates. Registration for each meeting is needed to receive the Zoom link to attend.
NEW CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH FASD: On January 1st, 2023, California’s Senate Bill 1016 became CA Education Code §56332. This law includes Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) as a named condition under the special education eligibility category of Other Health Impairment (OHI). For more information about this new law, view Understanding California Education Code §56332: A Guide for Schools and Families. This document, written by Kelly Rain Collin, Ed.M., Founder/Director of Healthy Minds Consulting, provides a lot of information about the new law and steps to get started with implementation. It also includes templates for families to download and use when writing to request an initial evaluation for a student with FASD or a reevaluation for a student now that FASD is listed under OHI in California.