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People with FASD (including FAS) have both primary and secondary disabilities. Secondary disabilities are those disabilities that arise because of a mismatch between the brain damage and factors in the environment–they are not directly caused from the brain damage.
Streissguth, et al (1996) conducted a four year study on the secondary disabilities of 415 individuals with FASD and found six secondary disabilites:
- Mental Health Problems – 90% of the 415 had mental health conditions of any type; 61% had ADHD and more than 50% had depression.
- Disrupted School Experiences – Over 60% had disruptions in school… from suspensions to drop-out.
- Trouble with the Law – 60% had trouble with the law, with shoplifting and theft the most common crime.
- Confinement – 50% had been confined, either incarcerated, inpatient mental health hospitalization, or inpatient chemical dependency treatment.
- Inappropriate Sexual Behavior – 49% had displayed inappropriate sexual behavior, most common was sexual advances, sexual touching, and promiscuity.
- Alcohol and Drug Problems – 35% had chemical abuse problems.
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