Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in America – A Silent Crisis
28/10/2013 05:55
Part 1 – What Is A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (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 learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.
FASD is the leading known cause of mental retardation in America today. The annual cost to the U.S. of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome alone in direct and indirect cost is approximately $5.4 billion dollars, according to the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS).