Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (6005 Module 5)

diagnosis is based on what 3 criteria?

1) prenatal and/or postnatal growth retardation 2) CNS impairment 3) at least 3 of the characteristic facial dysmorphology early diagnosis, stable home, and absence of violence can reduce the effects of symptoms and quality of life usually diagnosed later in age, hard to diagnose

mental health

90% of individuals with FASD have a mental health condition depression, mood disorders, and anxiety are the most prevalent high rates of suicide and addictions often bullied

What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder?

FASD is an umbrella term that refers to conditions associated with excessive prenatal alcohol exposure includes: -fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) -partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) -neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (ND-PAE) -alcohol related birth defects (ARBD)

OT interventions

animal therapy/hippotherapy: provides stability, caring for another which aids in empathy, self-competence, social connections, aid in motor control family centered care virtual reality game to help with safety awareness goFAR (focus and plan, act, and reflect) children's friendship training

alternative treatments

biofeedback auditory training relaxation therapy, visual imagery, meditation creative art therapy yoga and exercise acupuncture and acupressure massage, energy healing vitamins, herbal supplements, homeopathy music therapy

FASD characterized by what?

delayed mental development and physical growth, emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties that last the lifespan most preventable cause of developmental disabilities in children excessive alcohol interferes with the amount of oxygen and nutrients the fetus receives, damaging tissue and organs

therapy precautions

may not be able to stay on task short attention span awareness of comorbidities, especially CD where safety may be an issue emotional lability reactive problems with motor control/abilities/clumsiness safety awareness and precautions specific to child

classifications

mild, moderate, severe severity is dependent upon WHEN and how long the exposure occurred

medical interventions

no medications specifically to treat FASD, but there are medications to treat symptoms stimulants: hyperactivity, impulse control antidepressants neuroleptics: aggression and behavior problems anti-anxiety drugs

etiology

one cause: prenatal exposure to alcohol often unintentional as women are not aware they are pregnant in the first trimester higher risk for women over age 30 with history of alcohol abuse

prognosis

will last the lifespan of the child due to damage to the CNS comorbidities of ADHD and CD are common