Non Alcoholic Behavior example essay topic

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome What is Fetal alcohol syndrome? Exposure to alcohol before birth can cause a variety of different problems. One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is known as one of the leading preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy the baby can be born with FAS, which is a lifelong, physically and mentally disabling condition. FAS is characterized by distinctly abnormal facial features, a growth problem, and central nervous system problems (brain problems).

People who suffer from FAS may either have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication with others, vision, and / or hearing. These problems often lead to trouble in school or social problems and getting along with others. FAS is a permanent condition is already born babies who have it. It affects every aspect of an individual's life and the lives of the people around them.

However FAS is one hundred percent preventable if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant. Many people do not think that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is common. This statistic however is widely varied. Studies show that FAS rates range from 0.2-1.5 per 1,000 births in different areas of the United States.

I think that the odds of a child suffering from FAS is low because most mothers that have children are smart about their choices, if you know you " re having a child then you must give up the alcohol. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is only based on the mothers care of herself and if she chooses to endanger the life and well being of her children. There are many signs of which may be able to tell you if you or your child suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. They may have the following characteristics or exhibit the following behaviors; small in height or weight in comparison to others of the same age, abnormal facial features such as small eye openings, poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities (i. e., speech and language problems), mental retardation or low IQ, problems with daily living, poor reasoning and judgment skills, and sleep and sucking disturbances in infancy.

Children with who suffer from FAS are also said to be at risk for psychiatric problems, criminal behavior, unemployment, and incomplete education. These are known as "secondary conditions" which are problems that children are not born with and may acquire throughout life but do not necessarily have to. These are very serious risks that a child suffering from FAS might deal with. However there are some way to help prevent these problems.

For example, a child who is diagnosed with FAS early in life can be placed in classes that help the child learn and behave better. In addition children with FAS need a loving, nurturing, and stable home in order to avoid any disruptions in their life or that may cause harmful relationships. Children with FAS who grow up around violence and hostility are much more likely to develop the "secondary conditions" as mentioned before which are a huge risk to the outcome of the child's behavior as he / she grows up and enters the world outside the home. As stated before mothers have a huge role in whether or not their child will suffer from FAS but they are not the only ones who can prevent it. The fathers' role can also be very important in helping the woman abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy. He can encourage non-alcoholic behavior by avoiding situations with alcohol present and abstaining himself.

To reduce the problem or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, women who are already pregnant and are drinking should not be the only ones targeting for prevention, but also women who could become pregnant and are drinking.