Here to clear up any misunderstanding about fetal alcohol syndrome. I was diagnosed at 5 and also have prenatal drug exposure. This condition is often misdiagnosed as autism or adhd but can affect your entire body due to birth defects and other conditions. Ask me any questions but please keep them polite as this is a sensitive topic.
Female college student with fetal alcohol syndrome. (FASD) AMA
r/AMA
Comments
No questions just want to say I’m proud you have overcome the challenges that FASD brings with it. My half brother is probably about your age, he followed the same addiction our mother had throughout his teenage years and dropped out of school in 10th grade with none of mother’s family pushing him to change. He has no license, he has no job and he has no motivation for anything but expects everyone to take care of him. I cut ties with the toxicity of him and that family. But I’m proud you have been successful leading up to this! Way to go!
How did you find out you had it?
Does it affect you mentally physically or both?
What are you studying in college?
Does it change your perspective on drinking?
What is your favorite animal?
Hi, thanks for doing this!
Do you have any “typical” signs/symptoms, e.g. difficulty concentrating, small head etc?
Why/how were you diagnosed?
Hi, thanks for offering this AMA, it’s a brave thing to do.
What’s your relationship like with your parents? Did your mother realise the harm she was doing to you at the time?
Were you raised by your birth mother?
Does FASD also play into having a higher likelihood of having autism or dyslexia
How did you find the foster system,were you moved around a lot? Did you get to stay in the same school? Did you get supports in school? What is your plan, what do you want to do with your life ?
Do you know anyone else with FASD in your life? Are there any differences or similarities to other people with FASD that you tend to notice?
I know someone who just had a baby, before she knew she was pregnant she was binge drinking daily and doing cocaine. Is FASD something other will be able to physically see on her baby as he grows? Her baby was born 3 weeks early and very underweight. I hope he lives a strong healthy life, but it worries me there could have been FASD and drug exposure very early on.
Congratulations on getting yourself through school and into college despite all the hardships. You are an inspiration. Here are my questions…
What is your college major?
What do you want to do as a career?
Do you eventually want to have a family?
If I remember correctly, in order to get an FASD diagnosis the parent has to admit to using alcohol during pregnancy, and from what I’ve heard from the FASD community this leads to underdiagnosis and likely a lot higher prevalence than the current 1/20 iirc. Like you said misdiagnosis is a common concern here too. All that said – do you have an opinion on whether or not admitting to alcohol use during pregnancy should be part of the diagnostic criteria? I could see both sides and wondering where you land
Do you know your bio mother’s family? What was their take on how she was while pregnant if so