Fetal alcohol disorders costly to children, taxpayers
On the 9th day of the 9th month of 2010, the United States and the international community will commemorate Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day. If you have never heard of this day, or do not know about FASD, then now is the time to learn about it.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is the name given to a continuum of physical and mental health problems that arise as a result of a fetus being exposed to alcohol in utero. A diagnosis of FASD can be hard to make unless a mother discusses her drinking with her doctor or the child’s doctor. Some children may be misdiagnosed as having autism,ADHD,oppositional defiant or conduct disorder,pervasive developmental delay,learning disabilities,emotional/behavior problems,reactive attachment disorderand many other conditions.
Or they are never diagnosed at all. Many adoptive families struggle with a child’s problems, never knowing the causes or successful interventions to help them. A major reason the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services removes children from their families is because the parents are substance abusers.
Read more here: Fetal alcohol disorders costly to children, taxpayers | Viewpoints, Outlook | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle.
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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.