Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) is a decreasing, but still significant social issue among Indigenous people in Canada. There have been preventative measures implemented to protect and inform Indigenous people about FASD, and although helpful more of an impact still needs to be made these to give more support and information to the Indigenous population about this condition. FASD is a condition resulting from when a mother consumes alcohol when pregnant, and results in a number of cognitive, behavioural and physical disabilities among people born with this condition.
FAS [FASD] is found in all socioeconomic groups in Canada, but has been observed in a higher prevalence in select Indigenous communities in Canada (Paediatr Child Health, 2002, p.161). There have been a number of prevention efforts made in these communities, but these efforts need to be more successful so that information is known throughout the whole community as at present the prevalence of this condition is still far too common. Prevention efforts so far included clinical and social services, prevention programs and workshops. Although there have been preventative measures implemented within Indigenous communities, these preventions need to have more of an impact. Suggestions on creating an impact in the communities is having FASD awareness within the education curriculum, putting up FASD awareness posters and having an awareness and prevention week throughout the entire community. These suggestions have most likely been done, but if not could be extremely helpful in the prevention process.
-Kerri
Clarren. S., Salmon. A. (2011). Developing Effective, Culturally Appropriate Avenues to FASD Diagnosis and Prevention in Northern Canada. International journal of circumpolar health, 70(4), 428-433. Retrieved from http://www.ijch.fi.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1111
Paediatr Child Health. (2002) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, 7(3), 161–174. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.proxy1.lib.umanitoba.ca/pmc/articles/PMC2794810/?tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstract
I totally agree with you in the fact that we need to be creating awareness in society. It is great that we have policies and interventions in place, but if people don't know about them they can't be useful.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I would just like to correct the first paragraph. FASD actually stands for FETAL alcohol syndrome disorder.
Great post!
Leah
It makes me sad when a child is born with FASD. An innocent being is now born and faces disabilities throughout their lifetime. If the mother chooses to drink while pregnant, I lose all respect for that woman. It is one thing to danger your life but when you endanger the life of a child, you are crossing a line for me. There needs to be more public information for women to find and read so FASD can be eliminated.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I loved the pictures!
-Nicole (Nikki) S.
Its really upsetting knowing that an unborn child has to go through life with many difficulties because of a mother's stupidity. Its hard to have repsect for someone who would do this to their own child.
ReplyDeleteI agree that preventative measures need to have a stronger impact. Without this impact there will always be children with FASD.
~Joelle
Thanks for the correction, did not notice that typo.
ReplyDelete-Kerri
This is a really touchy subject for me. i have a daughter of my own but also have two step daughters and one of them has FASD. I am very angry with her mother (who has never even been a part of her life) because now she is faced with so many behavioural problems and has difficulties in school and none of this is her fault. She is such a beautiful girl and has so much potential but I am scared for what the future holds for her if not enough support is offered to her. These children need a lot of help through school as well as the parents need support because they can be difficult to raise. I agree awareness is key because there are still people who believe drinking while pregnant is ok. There also should be a lot of support for pregnant women who can hopefully be honest about their problem and get the mental help and social support to help them heal themselves so they will not harm their baby. My stepdaughters mother never got any help and she is still living a life of addictions and yes we can all be mad at these mothers but they are also dealing with a great deal of issues and need so much help themselves to even understand what they are doing to their child.
ReplyDeleteBrittany
Unfortunately, this issue is very prevalent in Aboriginal communities. I work with youth who are placed in group homes by Child Welfare System and 95% of these kids are diagnosed with FASD and the other 5% are suspected to have FASD. The issue is deep within the society and would be unfair to put a blame on one person or people, but we have to look at the historical aspect of this issue and acknowledge some of the reasons why alcohol is prevelant in Aboriginal community. Good post.
ReplyDelete-Medina
Thank you for posting on this subject.I agree that the child with FASD has no right to live this way and it is very unjust and heartbreaking to see everything that the child will go through throughout all his life and it could have easily been prevented if the mother would have chosen not to drink. However we must look at the historical aspect of things and how alcohol has been a problem in some individuals in Indigenous community, therefore not only blaming the mother but also the way society affects the aboriginal community.
ReplyDelete-Brigitte tetrault
This is indeed, a very controversial subject. It's awful what some children have to endure for the rest of their lives because of the mother's negligence. I believe instead of getting angry and placing blame, we need to put more energy into preventative measures and make more resources and support systems available to those who are struggling with alcohol abuse
ReplyDelete- Julia
This post is a great eye opener. There are still many mothers in our society that are not informed and educated about FASD. It is such a preventable disease yet it is so common. More education would definitely be a step in the right direction!
ReplyDelete-Iresha
Thank you for the post, Kerri, it was very eye-opening. Educating all young people on the effects consuming alcohol during pregnancy has on the baby is so important. I agree with you, we need to get more involved in the prevention and education process if we want to make more of an impact.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
-Katelyn
Great post! I work at a daycare in the north end of the city and unfortunately there is a large number of children there who suffer from FASD. Like you mentioned, I think this is common because many mothers are not educated on the risks of consuming alcohol while pregnant. It is a good thing that there have been preventative measures produced, but the more there are the better the situation will be I think.
ReplyDelete- Michal B.
I agree that there should be more awareness about FASD, I do know a couple children who do have this and are struggling a lot in school, its just sad because its not there fault. If there was more information about it then I think more people would think before they drink while pregnant. Good post, good information.
ReplyDeleteJessica
While prevention is very important, I also feel that awareness needs to be raised on how to care for children with FASD. Youth with FASD are struggling in school and because of their impulsiveness many are entering into a world of crime. Awareness needs to be raised and supports need to be in place to help youth with FASD achieve success.
ReplyDeleteKim
the S in FASD stands for spectrum covering a whole range of behaviors. It is interesting to note that a lot of schools and health care providers will almost never ask white middle class mothers if they drank during pregnacy yet it is almost always assumed that if a mother is aboriginal they always ask and assume that it is the reason as to why aboriginal children have difficulty. this is from my experience working both at EFRY and Klinic.
ReplyDeletelisa
This is such a sad and touchy topic, and I also agree there needs to be more awareness on FASD as well as prevention, getting the public more aware of these serious consequences. It breaks my heart to think this kids have no choice but to live a life like this. Very eye opening post!
ReplyDelete- Hannah