20 myths about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder debunked

Awareness of FASD is on the rise, but many parents and health professionals are yet to recognise the symptoms of the disorder or the scale of the problem.

Psychologist and researcher Carmela Pestell on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or what she calls a hidden epidemic behind many behavioural and learning issues.

[harrietharlow]

My mother drank when with me and my brother Our lives would have been much easier had she not. The gentleman in the video is like me. It's mostly behavioral issues though I do have visible facial and finger anomalies. I'm 68 and this has gone on my entire life. It has cost me jobs and relationships. I hope that mothers will get the message not to drink when pregnant--if you do, your child may end up with a lifetime of problems.

I am glad that you mentioned the intellectual factors because my estranged spouse thinks that you have to be low IQ if you have FASD/FAE. I'm at the high end of the scale IQ-wise, but then she got in touch with a parent support for parents of FASD children and most if not all of them have mild to severe intellectual impairment. She simply does not understand that every person with FASD is different. But I keep fighting with the FASD and do the best I can.

Thank you for such a sympathetic well set forth talk.

[PhimbleG-d]

I could feel the speaker’s nerves at the beginning of this presentation and then the practical attributes of clinical practice came into the limelight and the speaker became so much more comfortable. Really great presentation. Thank you.

[shadetreader]

Let's stop criminalising disability.

[nickolasdidonato]

My mother drank heavily when I was in the womb, I am 65 and it's a miracle I am still alive, way to many situations to go into here

[LyndaHubbs]

FASD can also be caused from a father drinking alcohol, for the testicles are bath in alcohol for three to four months before conception. It’s more common to find people with thin upper lips and smooth Philtrum than not. I see thin upper looks every wear, therefore I think more people are walking around with FASD and not know or notice it. Like me, diagnosed at age 68, ASD age 68 and ADD at age 61. All because my dad had a drinking problem.

[soulextract]

I'm I going to die ?
I've been like this my whole life I feel like my body is eading me alive on the inside... I'm having bad thoughts in my head can't think straight.. won't be ok.. need help my family see me as a burden "don't think I be able to get a job" or "I can't" feel like I want to kill them sometimes... don't know what's wrong with me...

[rustybolts]

I am now wondering how much FASD affects political opinion and persuasion. During this war I have encountered many people with very short memory span(1 wk or less) and a tendency to be very negative in their views even against their own country and in contradiction to clear video or live evidence. Could they have FASD?