One of the authors of a recent study, Examining Adaptive Abilities in Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
and/or ADHD stated
“Our findings add to the literature by comparing these two important childhood disorders,” s… “By clarifying what is unique to FASD and what is shared with other developmental conditions, we can improve differential diagnosis and provide a framework for the development of targeted interventions.”

Read more about the study by clicking this link.

CDC is announcing the launch of an FASD application (or app).  The app is a way for users to access the latest information related to alcohol use during pregnancy and FASDs directly from an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. From women planning a pregnancy to health care providers to families and educators, this app helps users easily find and share the latest in the prevention, recognition, and treatment of FASDs. This application is a companion to CDC’s FASD website and is CDCs first health condition-specific app! Check out these features:

·         Alcohol consumption data by state

·         Easy-to-read information on diagnosis and treatments for children with FASDs

·         Individualized pages for different users ? women, families, health care providers, educators, and partners

·         Training and education resources

·         Access to free materials on alcohol use during pregnancy and FASDs

·         Information on what CDC is doing in this area

Download the FASD app  — from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, go to the Apple App store and search for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders NOW ! Click this link for the FASD Mobile Link

NOFAS

Peggy – Birth mother of a person with FASD

Watch the Video

Peggy is a long-time member of the NOFAS Circle of Hope/Birth Mother’s Network.
She talks about the love and acceptance she found by befriending other birth
mothers and the forgiveness she received from her own daughter.

NOFAS Welcomes William Edwards to the Tom and Linda Daschle FASD Hall of Fame

NOFAS recently inducted William Edwards, Deputy Public Defender with the Los
Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, to the Tom and Linda Daschle FASD Hall
of Fame for his important work in the field of criminal justice and FASD.

FEATURES

Foetuses abused in the womb – study

A soon-to-be-released study will reveal that women in New Zealand are four times
more likely to consume alcohol during pregnancy than mothers in the United
States, and are twice as likely to drink large quantities of alcohol.
Article, Stuff.co.nz, May 13, 2012

Connected by Phoenix Coyotes’ spirit

10-year-old Gabby Spurbeck has overcome great odds to survive FASD and now
shares her love of hockey with her favorite team, the Phoenix Coyotes.
Article, The Arizona Republic, May 13, 2012

Report Details Drug And Alcohol Use By Pregnant Women

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently
released a report on alcohol and drug use by pregnant women. The rate of alcohol
use by pregnant Caucasian and African American women was about 12%, higher than
Hispanic women with 7%.
Article, Red Orbit, May 11, 2012

Living, teaching fetal alcohol syndrome

The story of 11-year-old Noah Welch and his group “Prevent Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome with Noah.”
Article, Havasunnews.com, May 7, 2012

National Survey on Abuse of People with Disabilities

Dr. Nora Baladerian of the Disability and Abuse Project is conducting a survey
that focuses on “incidents of, response to, and attitudes about, abuse or crime
victimization of children and adults with disabilities.” Click on the link
above to take the survey.
Survey, Disability and Abuse Project, May 2012

Women of child bearing age that regularly drink alcohol are at risk for
drinking in early pregnancy. Evidence indicates a majority of women stop
alcohol consumption on pregnancy recognition. However, there is a dearth
of studies reporting on patterns and correlates of drinking in early
pregnancy prior to stopping on pregnancy recognition, which the current
study aims to address. In 2005, a New Zealand nationwide cross-sectional
survey was conducted on a random sample of 1,256 women aged 16-40 years.
Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire using
a web-assisted telephone interviewing system. Of the 1,256 women who
participated, 127 (10 %) were currently pregnant and 425 women (34 %)
were previously pregnant. Half of currently pregnant women and 37 % of
previously pregnant women reported that they ceased drinking on
recognising pregnancy. Women categorised as “risky drinkers” and those
aged 16-24 years had higher odds to drink and binge drink in early
pregnancy, compared with non-risky drinkers and women of other age
categories respectively. A majority of women stop alcohol consumption on
pregnancy recognition but prior to this, drink at levels posing a risk
for the developing foetus. Women most at risk for drinking and binge
drinking in early pregnancy were younger in age and exhibited risky
drinking behaviour prior to pregnancy. A targeted intervention to reduce
the risk for an alcohol exposed pregnancy is warranted for sexually
active younger women in New Zealand and elsewhere.

Download the full report about maternal drinking

FEATURES

HERO: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome survivor educates others

Chanel Torres of Florida talks about educating others about living with an FASD
and winning the “Yes! I can!” award.  Chanel was also featured in NOFAS’ Get to
Know Me: My Life with FASD interview series.  Click here
to see her interview.
Article, Bay News 9, April 30, 2012

Positively Georgia: Service Dogs

Feature on the Winokur family of Roswell, Georgia and Iyal Winokur’s FASD
service dog, Chancer.
Video, CBS Atlanta, April 25, 2012

The Criminalization of Bad Mothers

Amanda Kimbrough speaks about her experience of being incarcerated for using
drugs and alcohol during pregnancy and being sentenced to ten years in prison
under Alabama’s chemical-endangerment law.
Article, New York Times, April 25, 2012

New moms embraced at community baby shower

Upshur County, West Virginia recently held a Community Baby Shower for new moms
and moms-to-be where local nurses provided education about fetal alcohol
syndrome.
Article, The Record Delta, April 24, 2012

Share your story with Faces and Voices of Recovery

Do you have a story of overcoming addiction from drugs or alcohol?  Share your
story with Faces and Voices of Recovery!
Article, Faces and Voices of Recovery, April 2012

Take a few minutes to view music video from Bissell Centre aimed to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

NOFAS

Alcohol & Pregnancy - What do people know?

Watch the Video 

NOFAS recently visited a local park in the Georgetown neighborhood of
Washington, DC to inquire what people knew about the risks of alcohol use during
pregnancy.  NOFAS received varied responses, with some advocating total
abstinence from alcohol, while others thought occasional light or moderate
drinking was okay.

Get to Know Me: My Life with FASD Interview with Elizabeth B. 

Elizabeth B., Executive Director of Thames Center Service Dogs of Ontario,
Canada, shares about her life with FAS and working with service dogs.

FEATURES

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: One Woman’s Story 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) feature on FASDs and the story
of one young woman with an FASD, Frances.
Article, CDC, April 23, 2012

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders conference to be held April 20 

NOFAS affiliate, DePaul's National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence –
Rochester Area, recently held a conference entitled "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder: Importance of Diagnosis, Research, Updates and Advances" on April 20th
in Rochester, New York.
Article, Gates Chili Post, April 19, 2012

Music video aims to raise awareness for FASD 

The Bissell Centre of Edmonton has produced a music video on FASDs with the
simple message of, “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a life sentence and is
100% preventable.”
Article/Video, Global Edmonton, April 19, 2012

Brewer to add DrinkWise warning labels on beer and cider 

Australian brewer Carlton United Brewers (CUB) will add pregnancy warning labels
to all beer and cider products due to the efforts of DrinkWise Australia.
Article, Herald Sun, April 18, 2012

Health expert challenges wine body on pregnancy labels

The Winemakers' Federation of Australia has suggested that putting warning
labels on alcoholic beverage containers may cause pregnant women to terminate
their pregnancies.
Article, The Conversation, April 18, 2012

UNF program offers students with intellectual disabilities full university
experience 

The University of North Florida is offering a special program for young people
with intellectual disabilities, including FASDs, giving them the chance to
attend college.
Article, The Florida Times-Union, April 17, 2012