CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Environmental Strategies
2. Types of Environmental Approaches
3. Putting Environmental Strategies To Work

Supplements
References
Resources

Environmental Strategies for Prevention
A Guide To Helping the Prevention Professional Work Effectively in the Community

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders

Many people may be unfamiliar with the terms "fetal alcohol spectrum disorders" (FASD) and "fetal alcohol syndrome" (FAS). 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-neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD).

Prevention experts are hoping to increase awareness of these serious health risks that can result when a woman drinks alcohol while pregnant. People in the prevention field are using environmental strategies to reinforce the message: "If you are pregnant, don't drink. If you drink, don't get pregnant."

The many terms and disorders often grouped under the category of FASD include:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS):a pattern of neurological, behavior, and cognitive deficits that can interfere with growth, learning, and socialization. FAS includes a characteristic pattern of facial abnormalities; growth deficiencies, such as low birth weight; brain damage, such as small skull at birth, structural defects and neurological signs; and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. Partial FAS describes persons with confirmed alcohol exposure, facial anomalies, and one other group of symptoms.
• Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE):describes people with prenatal alcohol exposure who do not have all the symptoms of FAS. Many have growth deficiencies, behavioral problems, cognitive deficits, and other symptoms but do not have the facial features of FAS.
• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder:various neurological abnormalities that are associated with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, such as problems with communications skills, memory, learning ability, visual and spatial skills, intelligence, and motor skills.
• Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD):defects in the skeletal and major organ systems associated with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. These may include abnormalities of the heart, eyes, ears, holes in the heart, underdeveloped kidneys, and fused bones.

A key agency working on this effort is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence. The goals of the Center are to:

• Identify, support, and promote effective prevention practices, and
• Build the capacity of State, communities, and other groups to apply such practices.

The FASD Center for Excellence is a national focal point for information and resources. Many of the products, services, and partnerships the FASD Center provides incorporate environmental strategies, including changing policies. The center features information on Fetal Alcohol Legislation at the State level. The legislation generally falls into categories of providing:

• General FASD information, such as definitions, birth registries, and parental consent for FASD testing.
• Prevention and intervention services, including research and public information and awareness.
• Training and licensing, including teacher certification and physician licensing.