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View Crisis ResourcesFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of individuals who were exposed to alcohol in the womb.
When a woman consumes alcohol while pregnant, her fetus is exposed directly to alcohol through her bloodstream. Alcohol can interfere with the growth and development of all fetal body systems; however, the developing central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) is especially vulnerable to the damaging effects of alcohol. These effects, which can vary from mild to severe, may include physical, mental, behavioural, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications. There is no cure, but early and appropriate supports can make a positive impact and improve outcomes for individuals with FASD.
FASD affects individuals from all socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
While every individual with FASD has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses, all people with FASD have some brain dysfunction as a result of prenatal alcohol exposure.
The signs and symptoms of FASD are most commonly broken down into primary and secondary disabilities. However it should be noted that not all primary and secondary disabilities listed below will apply to all individuals; rather the lists are reflective of the disabilities commonly observed among this unique population.
The primary disabilities of FASD are those that most directly reflect the underlying central nervous system damage caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. This damage manifests in a range of difficulties with adaptive behaviour, attention, cognition, executive functioning and memory. As a result, individuals with FASD may have trouble with abstract reasoning, organization, planning, understanding or recalling a sequence of events, connecting cause and effect relationships, and/or regulating their own behaviours and emotions.
Typical brain-based, primary disabilities of FASD include:
Another common characteristic of individuals diagnosed with FASD is dysmaturity. Dysmaturity is a term used to refer to widely varying levels of maturity in different areas of development, such as expressive language and language comprehension, social and self-care skills, and awareness and regulation of emotions. Individuals with FASD do not have the ability to meet many of society’s age-based social and academic expectations. Since FASD is not usually outwardly visible, the effects of dysmaturity can be confusing and frustrating to people who have FASD and to those around them.
Alcohol is toxic and can affect any organ or system of the fetus. Individuals with FASD can also have permanent vision and hearing problems; poorly developed bones, limbs and fingers; and damage to the heart, kidney, liver and other organs.
Secondary disabilities are those not present at birth, but occur later in life as a result of the primary disabilities associated with FASD. They include:
When combined with individuals’ primary disabilities, these secondary disabilities increase the complexity of care, and result in significant social and economic costs to society.
FASD is preventable. There is no safe amount or type of alcoholic beverage, and no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Pregnant women are advised not to drink any alcohol during pregnancy.
If FASD is diagnosed early, interventions may be able to lessen its impact and prevent secondary disabilities.
Many types of treatments are available for individuals with FASD:
An individual with FASD can be assisted by special programs with their learning and behaviour. Such assistance can enable a person with FASD to maximize their independence and achievements.
Some protective factors can help reduce the effects of FASD and help individuals with these conditions reach their full potential:
If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop drinking now and talk to your health care provider. When a pregnant woman stops drinking at any time during pregnancy, she decreases the risk of harm to her child.
If you cannot stop drinking or someone you know cannot stop drinking alcohol, help is available through CAMH’s COMPASS or any META:PHI Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic.
If you are worried about your child, there are a number of diagnostic clinics in Canada.
ALBERTA
#5-3608 50th Ave.
Red Deer, AB T4S 3Y6
Phone: 403 342-7499 ext. 1
Website: https://centralfasd.org/contact/
Bridges Family Programs
477-3rd St. SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0G8
Phone: 403 526-7473
Website: https://www.bridgesfamilyprograms.com/cfas.html
4838-49th St.
Camrose, AB T4V 1N2
Phone: 587 386-0186
Website: http://prairiecentralfasd.ca/assessment-and-diagnosis/
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Suite 103, 22356 McIntosh Ave.
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3C1
Phone: 604 467-7101; toll free 1 877 327-7101
Website: https://www.asantecentre.org/
Vernon, BC V1T 1S1
Phone: 250 938-5022
Website: https://www.fasdokanagan.ca
3644 Slocan St.
Vancouver, BC V5M 3H4
Phone: 604 453-8300
Website: www.bcchildrens.ca
MANITOBA
1155 Notre Dame Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3G1
Phone: 204 258-6600
Website: https://fasdmanitoba.com/
NEW BRUNSWICK
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
PO Box 1320
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9
Phone: 867 446-3522
Website: www.nthssa.ca
Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
Stanton Territorial Hospital
PO Box 10
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2N1
Phone: 867 669-4195
NUNAVUT
ONTARIO
160 Traders Blvd. E., Ste. 100
Mississauga, ON L4Z 3K7
Phone: 905 890-5222
Website: http://www.aysp.ca/
Breaking the Cycle
860 Richmond St. W., Ste. 100
Toronto, ON M6J 1C9
Phone: 416 364-7373
Website: www.mothercraft.ca
1230 Central Pkwy. W.
Mississauga, ON L5C 0A5
Phone: 905 855-2690
Website: https://www.erinoakkids.ca/
Pediatric Ambulatory Clinics
61 Queen St. E, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 2T2
Phone: 416 867-3655
Website: www.stmichaelshospital.com
600 Townline Rd. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 7K6
Phone: 905 728-1673
Website: https://grandviewkids.ca
6660 Kennedy Rd., Ste. 200
Mississauga, ON L5T 2M9
Phone: 905 564-7485
Website: http://www.icdspeel.ca/
39 Mount Pleasant St.
Brantford, ON N3T 1S7
Phone: 519 753-3153; toll free 1 800 454-7186
Website: http://www.lansdownecentre.ca/about.php
325 Wellington St. N.
PO Box 2000
Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5
Phone: 905 521-2100 ext. 44446
Website: www.hamiltonhealthsciences.ca
Health Sciences North
NEO Kids Building
Ramsey Lake Health Centre
41 Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury, ON P3E 5J1
Phone: 705 523-7120 ext. 1073
Website: www.hsnsudbury.ca
Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services
820 Lakeview Dr.
Kenora, ON P9N 3P7
Phone: 807 467-5437; toll free
Website: http://www.krrcfs.ca/
PO Box 104
Armstrong, ON P0T 1A0
Phone: 807 583-1145
Website: www.norwestchc.org
Child Development Resource Connection Peel
75 Watline Ave., Unit 103
Mississauga, ON L4Z 3E5
Phone: 905 507-9360
Website: https://www.cdrcp.com/sp/fasd
Halton FASD Assessment and Diagnostic Clinic
Phone: 905 634-2347 ext. 1234
Website: http://rockonline.ca
865 Westney Rd. S.
Ajax, ON L1S 3M4
Phone: 905 427-8862
Website: http://www.rfecydurham.com
Toronto, ON M5S 2C2
Children and Youth FASD Diagnostic Team
833 575-5437
FASD Adult Diagnostic Clinic
Phone: 416 925 5141
Website: www.surreyplace.ca
Children's Mental Health Centre
285 Benjamin Rd.
Waterloo, ON N2J 3Z4
Phone: 519 884-1470
Website: fasdwaterlooregion.ca
227 Victoria St
Toronto, ON
M5B 1T8
Phone: 416-368-4896
Website: www.youthdale.ca
SASKATCHEWAN
YUKON TERRITORY
Child Development Centre
1000 Lewes Blvd.
PO Box 2703
Whitehorse, YK Y1A 2C6
Phone: 867 456-8182; toll free 866 835-8386
Website: http://www.cdcyukon.ca
Health and Social Services, Government of Yukon
PO Box 2703
Whitehorse, YK Y1A 2C6
Phone: 867 667-8563; toll free (Yukon, Nunavut and NWT) 1 800 661-0408 ext.8563
Website: www.hss.gov.yk.ca
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