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People with FASD (including FAS) have both primary and secondary disabilities. Primary disabilities are those with which the person is born, such as seizures, sensory integration problems, etc. These are a direct result of the brain damage from prenatal alcohol exposure, and the topic of today’s podcast.
There are three types of Primary Disabilities in FASD, any of which can cause behavioral and functional problems for an individual:
- STRUCTURAL BRAIN DAMAGE: The physical structure(s) of the brain are malformed or have failed to fully form (microcephaly). These are determined through measuring head circumference, MRIs, and (in extreme cases) autopsy.
- BRAIN FUNCTIONING DAMAGE: The actual functioning of the brain is disrupted at the neurochemical, electrical, or metabolic levels. These are determined with EEGs and PET scans.
- NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE: Brain damage is inferred through observing and measuring an individual’s behavior and functioning levels across the Ten Brain Domains. This is a less costly, less invasive method of ascertaining brain damage and primary disabilities from prenatal alcohol exposure than those techniques used for the first two categories.
Website from the show: Juneau FASD Diagnostic Clinic – www.ccthita.org/TFYS-FASD.htm
Feedback or comments may be sent to: Michael__at__FASDElephant__dot__com
