Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

One major issue impacting indigenous communities is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is a term that can describe a wide range of developmental disabilities caused from a mother who consumed alcohol during any stage of the pregnancy. I read an alarming article quote that stated "Of all the substances of abuse, including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, alcohol produces by far the most serious neuro-behavioral effects in the fetus" (Mountford 2012).

There are many possible diagnosis to this disorder such as 1) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), 2) Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS), 3) Alcohol Related Neuro-Developmental Disorder (ARND), 4) Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD). Ultimately, there is no cure for this and sadly many undiagnosed  individuals will go through life struggling with no supports or help they so desperately need.

It is identified that one drink of alcohol can have life long impacts for not only the child but the whole family, caregivers and the community, as well as the health care system. According to Allan Mountford 2012, some of the effects of FASD can be characterized as:

Primary Characteristics

• Specific facial characteristics
• Growth deficits
• Mental retardation
• Heart, lung, and kidney defects
• Hyperactivity and behavior problems
• Attention and memory problems
• Poor conditions or motor skills
• Difficulty with judgement and reasoning
• Many learning disabilities
• Hearing problems
• Renal dysfunction and eye problems
• Skeletal abnormalities  

Secondary Characteristics- the hidden disability and the stuff you cannot see

• No concept of right and wrong
• Lack of remorse, poor judgement, no fear
• Poor impulse control and poor personal hygiene
• Academic difficulties
• Social inappropriateness and poor self esteem
• Lying, stealing, cheating, and always in trouble with the law

On March 24, 2012, I attended a training workshop on "Teaching Students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder" that was held in Sagamok First Nation. The workshop was funded by North Shore Tribal Council and the coordinator of the workshop invited the community, teachers, parents, and service workers. I remember sitting there listening to guess speakers who work one on one with the children diagnosed with FASD and hearing them voice their concerns on how the costs for raising them and how the family, society, and tax payers sees the the one with the disability.

The ideologies from the neo-liberativism is that of those who work are good and those that don't work or contribute in the globalization sector or contribute to the economic growth in Canada is nothing but a burden on  each level of government and that the focus is cutting programs from less deserving.
"Women who give birth to to children with disabilities can be seen to "fail" both tests of citizenship: they have produced children who are 'burdens' and 'drains' on already over-taxed health, education, social service and (in some cases FASD) criminal-legal systems and, due to the extraordinary care giving responsibilities faced by mothers of disabled children in the absence of a strong system of public services, they have removed themselves (often voluntary) from paid work, often with little recourse but to go on social assistance in an attempt to meet their families basic needs" (Salmon 2011, p.173).

My heart goes out to those who are struggling in this life in dealing with any of the diagnosis of FASD characteristics mentioned. If you are fortunate to be be diagnosed early there are programs, workshops, and training with recommendations and supports to the child(ren) and families  to cope and learn that many outcomes of the individual are not intentional. However, this can be brutal to those who go through a lifetime of outbursts, feelings of never being able to do right, never being able to go through school, never being able to have a healthy relationship, and always involved with the law.

Chi-Migzs Tammy

Reference's

Amy Salmon (2011):Aboriginal mothering, FASD prevention and the contestations of neoliberal citizenship, Critical Public Health, 21:2, 165-178

Mountford, A. (2012). Cause it's not my fault. Fetal alcohol spectrum education support. Janet ville:ON