Knowra Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a range of lifelong physical, cognitive, behavioral, and learning conditions caused by alcohol exposure before birth. Its effects vary widely and may occur with or without visible physical features.
Prenatal alcohol exposure : Alcohol consumption during pregnancy that exposes an embryo or fetus to alcohol. It is the direct exposure underlying every condition within FASD.
Fetal alcohol syndrome : A diagnosis involving characteristic facial features, impaired growth, and central nervous system abnormalities after prenatal alcohol exposure. It is a specific diagnosis within the broader FASD spectrum.
FASD diagnosis : A clinical assessment process that evaluates prenatal alcohol exposure and associated physical or neurobehavioral effects. Assessment identifies the pattern of needs and guides appropriate support.
Secondary disabilities : Later difficulties, such as mental health problems or disrupted education, associated with but not inherent to a developmental condition. Support gaps can compound primary impairments and contribute to preventable later difficulties.
FASD diagnostic criteria : Clinical rules used to identify fetal alcohol spectrum conditions and characterize their features. Diagnostic frameworks differ, affecting case identification and comparison across studies.
Neurodevelopment : The processes through which the nervous system forms, matures, and becomes organized. Alcohol can alter brain development, producing the cognitive and behavioral effects associated with FASD.
Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder : A diagnostic category describing neurobehavioral impairment associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. It captures significant functional effects that may occur without the facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Neuropsychological assessment : Evaluation of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional abilities using standardized methods and clinical history. It can reveal specific strengths and difficulties that a brief screening may miss.
Adverse childhood experiences : Potentially traumatic events in childhood, including abuse, neglect, and household instability. Some people with FASD face heightened vulnerability to adversity when their needs go unrecognized.
Prenatal alcohol exposure measurement : Methods for estimating alcohol use during pregnancy, including timing, frequency, and amount. Exposure histories are often incomplete, making dose and timing difficult to connect to outcomes.
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