Raising a Child Exposed to Alcohol or Drugs

A common risk factor for domestic and international adoptions is potential exposure to alcohol or drugs during pregnancy. How are children affected and what is the reality of raising a child that has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Our guest is Diane Malbin, a clinical social worker and founders of FASCETS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Consultation, Education and Training Services, Inc.), a non-profit whose mission is to educate and support people with FASD, parents and professionals.

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Hit the Highlights

How much exposure to alcohol or drugs will affect a baby?
When during pregnancy is drinking alcohol most dangerous to the fetus?
What are the risk factors in a referral or birth mother match would increase the risk that the birth mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.
What is the difference between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
Does alcohol consumption of the father prior to conception affect the baby?
What are the typical symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
What symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are present in infancy? What signs should parents look for to see if their baby has FASD or FAS?
What is the average IQ of a person with FAS or FASD?
What are the physical characteristics of a child that has been exposed to excessive drinking during pregnancy? What do we mean by the “face of FAS”?
How can you tell if a child adopted from China has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
What are the primary behaviors of a child or person with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
How do children exposed to excessive alcohol consumption prenatally do as adults? What is the long term prognosis for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
Parenting strategies for children with neuro-behavioral issues caused by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
FASD is a physical disability to the brain with behavioral symptoms.
How to help children and families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?