How does fetal alcohol syndrome affect a person?
People with FAS have central nervous system (CNS) problems, minor facial features, and growth problems. People with FAS can have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, or hearing. They might have a mix of these problems.
What does an adult look like with fetal alcohol syndrome?
Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip. Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers. Slow physical growth before and after birth. Vision difficulties or hearing problems.
How do you know if you have fetal alcohol syndrome in adults?
Additional physical effects of FAS that are apparent in adulthood may include:
- organ defects.
- bone growth issues.
- flattened philtrum (groove in the upper lip)
- smaller head circumference.
- smaller than normal eye openings.
- small or absent palpebral fissures (the space between the corner of the eye closest to the nose)
Does fetal alcohol syndrome affect intelligence?
They nevertheless have impaired mental functioning caused by brain damage that is permanent and incurable. The academic abilities of individuals with FASD are below their IQ level, and their living skills, communication skills and adaptive behavior levels are even further below IQ levels.
Is FASD considered a disability?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of individuals who were exposed to alcohol in the womb.
Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome a cognitive disability?
Learning problems: Children with FASD can have cognitive abilities ranging from severe intellectual disability to above average intellectual ability. Many children with FASD have normal intelligence.
What is partial fetal alcohol syndrome?
Partial fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS) When a person does not meet the full diagnostic criteria for FAS but has a history of prenatal alcohol exposure and some of the facial abnormalities, as well as a growth problem or CNS abnormalities that person is considered to have partial FAS (pFAS).