September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month. Individuals with an FASD can be more vulnerable and have a hard time making informed decisions. This puts them at greater risk to be a crime victim or participate in illegal activities without considering the consequences.
There is no safe level of alcohol during pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born with serious brain damage. This condition, called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD can cause problems in how your child grows, learns, looks, and acts. These problems last a lifetime.
There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink while you are pregnant. All drinks with alcohol can hurt an unborn baby.
There is no safe time to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during pregnancy. It can cause problems in the early weeks of pregnancy, before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
Too many women continue to drink during pregnancy. About 1 in 13 pregnant women reports drinking alcohol.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% preventable. FASD is not curable, but can be prevented if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant.
Impact on Children and Schools
Children with FASD often have problems with learning, attention span, and other issues. As they grow up, school behaviors and emotional and social problems often get worse.
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