WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT ARE WE PLANNING? 1 Sandra Malcolm, M.Sc., RT Certified FASD Project Specialist Prevention Services Unit Department of Health and Social Services Government of the Northwest Territories

Binge drinking is a serious problem, particularly among youth. The 2009 NWT Addictions Report notes that among current drinkers, 64% of 15 – 24 year olds reported consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion and one in four engaged in heavy drinking at least once a week. 2

What is FASD? Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is defined by Health Canada as: “an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities and diagnoses that result from drinking alcohol during pregnancy”. FASD lasts for a person’s lifetime. There is no cure. Health Canada further states: “The impact and effects of FASD vary. Specific birth defects and the degree of the disability can depend on how much alcohol was drunk, how often and when during the pregnancy… No amount or type of alcohol during pregnancy is considered safe”. = FASD

Alcohol is a teratogen. Alcohol is a teratogen Teratogen : "a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects” ( Teratogens include : cigarettes, cocaine, solvents and chemicals, seizure medications and other prescription drugs, lead, toxoplasmosis, chickenpox, genital herpes, radiation, anesthetic gases, and alcohol Alcohol causes FASD 4

5 The effect on the developing fetus seems to be correlated to: When during pregnancy the mother drank alcohol and what was developing at that time How much alcohol was consumed

Six week old ‘normal’ brain 6 Six week old FASD affected brain

Common Behaviours of Children affected by FASD Friendly and social Helpful and kind Developmental delays Different learning styles Attention difficulties Poor fine motor skills Poor Communication and Social SkillsPoor higher level thinking Poor and inconsistent memory skills Start to lag behind Poor understanding of cause and effect 7

When Working with a Person who is Affected by FASD… Try differently, NOT harder Remember ‘People First’ language… it’s Person affected by FASD, Not “FASD person” Don’t set him or her up for failure Provide structure and consistency, and advise of any schedule changes in advance whenever possible Work with his or her ‘external brain’, so everyone is on the same page 8

So, how do we prevent FASD? Do not: Blame the mother or ignore the root cause of why the mother drinks 9 Do: Seek mental health treatment and / or counseling for women who need it Talk to youth about abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy or if they think they might be pregnant, and talk to them BEFORE they reach child- bearing age Implement brief intervention groups with high-risk mothers

What about Drinking Alcohol while Breastfeeding? 10

Breastfeeding is the baby’s PERFECT FOOD

MYTH: "A breastfeeding mother can provide more breast milk for her baby by drinking beer." FACT: When a mother drinks alcohol it passes into her breast milk. Studies have shown that infants take in less breast milk when the mother drinks any type of alcohol, including beer.

It is always best to breastfeed. It is best to make sure that the baby gets no alcohol when you breastfeed. How? Don’t drink any alcohol Pump and dump

What’s Happening in FASD Prevention in the NWT? 14

Department of Health and Social Services Foundation for Change Three Basic Goals: Wellness Accessibility Sustainability 15

Canada Northwest FASD Partnership Canada Northwest FASD Research Network 16

Systematic assessments - statistics are being gathered of the incidence of drinking during pregnancy Diagnosis of FASD in children and youth “Be A Friend” Poster campaign FASD Videoconference Series NWT FASD Network Funding to community projects 17

Sandra Malcolm (867)