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Adoption, the Unknown, and Fetal Alcohol Exposure
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<blockquote data-quote="WearyWoman" data-source="post: 374762"><p>First, in answer to your questions, Bubby is in the 5th percentile for weight and the 25th percentile for height. He was a fairly small baby, weighing in at 6 pounds, full-term. His bio mom did not realize she was pregnant until into her fourth month, or around 17 weeks. It is true that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) causes a shortened distance between the inside and outside corners of each eye alone, however, the distance between the two eyes appears wider. So, it's definitely true that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is related to wide-set eyes. Bubby doesn't have a smooth crease between his upper lip and nose, however, his upper lip is narrow, his nasal bridge is quite low, and his nose is slightly upturned. His facial midsection is flattened, and his ears are ever-so-slightly curled at the tops. Despite any of this, Bubby is extremely cute (everyone says so), and if one were not educated about these subtle things, it could easily be missed. I've looked at photos of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) kids, and in many cases, until I read about the features, I would have had no idea anything was unusual about their appearance.</p><p></p><p>I didn't mean to imply that all autistic kids are alcohol affected. I recently read that autism is linked to fetal alcohol exposure in <em>some</em> cases; that autism is believed to have both genetic and environmental causes, complicating research and understanding of the condition.</p><p></p><p>Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)) causes abnormal facial features, growth problems, and central nervous system problems. Many children prenatally exposed to alcohol do not meet all of the criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The CDC is presently working on diagnostic criteria for alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), to address other forms of alcohol impairment. People with ARND might have intellectual disabilities and problems with behavior and learning. They might do poorly in school and have difficulties with math, memory, attention, judgment, and poor impulse control. The damage caused by alcohol can be measured on a spectrum, and that is the approach the CDC is taking on this. So, a wide range of physical, developmental, behavioral, and neurological issues are possible. Every child is affected uniquely. Some babies exposed to a lot of alcohol do not demonstrate impairment, while those exposed only mildly may have severe problems. Alcohol causes brain damage in utero, and this is measureable on MRI.</p><p></p><p>Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and autism spectrum disorders do share a lot of characteristics in common, including sensory sensitivities, difficulty with change and transition, struggles with generalizing skills, ADHD, difficulty with abstract concepts, speech problems, developmental delays, difficulty understanding social cues, trouble forming friendships, and the list goes on.</p><p></p><p>Complicating things further is the possibility that a child may have both Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and an Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at the same time. Here is a link to an article about these disorders and their overlaps:</p><p></p><p>I am not interested in the "seek and ye shall find" method you mentioned, quite the contrary. I much prefer to embrace the "seek the truth, and the truth will set you free" philosophy. Yet, I hope that Bubby is not suffering any fetal alcohol effects, as I think it would harbor a worse outlook than his present working diagnosis. I am well aware of the availability of a diagnosis through shopping around, but that is not objective, nor truth seeking. Neither is clinging to a current diagnosis when the discovery of evidence raises another possibility.</p><p></p><p>Marg, you have the benefit of absolute certainty that your children were not exposed to alcohol prenatally, an assurance many adoptive parents will never know.</p><p></p><p>But adoptive moms have intuitions about their children, just like any mom, and I can't shake the unsettled feeling I have right now. It would be easier to shut the door on this, and move on. Yet, if a truth lies behind the door, despite my discomfort with it, I want to know. I want to know so I have knowledge on my side in understanding Bubby's struggles. He deserves that.</p><p></p><p>WW</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="WearyWoman, post: 374762"] First, in answer to your questions, Bubby is in the 5th percentile for weight and the 25th percentile for height. He was a fairly small baby, weighing in at 6 pounds, full-term. His bio mom did not realize she was pregnant until into her fourth month, or around 17 weeks. It is true that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) causes a shortened distance between the inside and outside corners of each eye alone, however, the distance between the two eyes appears wider. So, it's definitely true that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is related to wide-set eyes. Bubby doesn't have a smooth crease between his upper lip and nose, however, his upper lip is narrow, his nasal bridge is quite low, and his nose is slightly upturned. His facial midsection is flattened, and his ears are ever-so-slightly curled at the tops. Despite any of this, Bubby is extremely cute (everyone says so), and if one were not educated about these subtle things, it could easily be missed. I've looked at photos of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) kids, and in many cases, until I read about the features, I would have had no idea anything was unusual about their appearance. I didn't mean to imply that all autistic kids are alcohol affected. I recently read that autism is linked to fetal alcohol exposure in [I]some[/I] cases; that autism is believed to have both genetic and environmental causes, complicating research and understanding of the condition. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)) causes abnormal facial features, growth problems, and central nervous system problems. Many children prenatally exposed to alcohol do not meet all of the criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The CDC is presently working on diagnostic criteria for alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), to address other forms of alcohol impairment. People with ARND might have intellectual disabilities and problems with behavior and learning. They might do poorly in school and have difficulties with math, memory, attention, judgment, and poor impulse control. The damage caused by alcohol can be measured on a spectrum, and that is the approach the CDC is taking on this. So, a wide range of physical, developmental, behavioral, and neurological issues are possible. Every child is affected uniquely. Some babies exposed to a lot of alcohol do not demonstrate impairment, while those exposed only mildly may have severe problems. Alcohol causes brain damage in utero, and this is measureable on MRI. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and autism spectrum disorders do share a lot of characteristics in common, including sensory sensitivities, difficulty with change and transition, struggles with generalizing skills, ADHD, difficulty with abstract concepts, speech problems, developmental delays, difficulty understanding social cues, trouble forming friendships, and the list goes on. Complicating things further is the possibility that a child may have both Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and an Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) at the same time. Here is a link to an article about these disorders and their overlaps: I am not interested in the "seek and ye shall find" method you mentioned, quite the contrary. I much prefer to embrace the "seek the truth, and the truth will set you free" philosophy. Yet, I hope that Bubby is not suffering any fetal alcohol effects, as I think it would harbor a worse outlook than his present working diagnosis. I am well aware of the availability of a diagnosis through shopping around, but that is not objective, nor truth seeking. Neither is clinging to a current diagnosis when the discovery of evidence raises another possibility. Marg, you have the benefit of absolute certainty that your children were not exposed to alcohol prenatally, an assurance many adoptive parents will never know. But adoptive moms have intuitions about their children, just like any mom, and I can't shake the unsettled feeling I have right now. It would be easier to shut the door on this, and move on. Yet, if a truth lies behind the door, despite my discomfort with it, I want to know. I want to know so I have knowledge on my side in understanding Bubby's struggles. He deserves that. WW [/QUOTE]
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