Mythbuster

Also in this section:

It’s time to sweep away the old myths!

Roll over to see the fact.

Source: FASD Preferred UK Language. Guide: Seashell Trust/National FASD 2020

Touch a myth to see the fact.

Myth

It’s ok to have 1 or 2 drinks in pregnancy

Fact

The chief medical officers have said since 2016, that there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink in pregnancy. Some research shows that one drink of alcohol can affect foetal behaviour in the womb.

Myth

It is not a physical disability

Fact

FASD is a range of conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, some of which are physical.

Myth

It’s just bad behaviour- they need to try harder

Fact

Behaviour is affected by cognitive processing, emotional regulation and impulse control which are common difficulties for someone living with FASD.

Myth

It’s ok to drink in the last trimester

Fact

There is no known safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. The brain and central nervous system are still developing.

Myth

There’s no point in diagnosing if there’s no cure

Fact

Diagnosis is the key to understanding appropriate strategies and accessing support. It also helps to understand prevalence and in turn improve service provision.

Myth

Poverty causes FASD

Fact

There are people living with FASD from all groups within society.

Myth

Negative behaviour is caused by poor parenting

Fact

FASD is a brain-based disability and what may be considered as unwanted behaviour should be reframed as a communication of a difficulty or a need for further support.

Myth

You grow out of FASD

Fact

FASD is a lifelong disability; there is no cure but people with FASD can be supported to manage their lives successfully.

Myth

ARND and PFAS aren’t as bad as “full FAS”

Fact

All of these conditions are FASD and FASD is the new diagnostic term. There is no “full FAS”. The main feature across the spectrum is that prenatal alcohol exposure has affected the brain development/function.

Myth

The naughty step and consequences will work to modify behaviour

Fact

People living with FASD struggle to link cause and effect due to damage to specific areas of the brain. What may be seen as bad behaviour is not intentional. Traditional punishments are unlikely to work for people with FASD.

Myth

They’re just over-protective parents making excuses

Fact

Many people with FASD need support from someone they trust, such as a parent or carer, to help them understand their environment and decode information.

Myth

FASD means you have a low IQ

Fact

Whilst some people living with FASD have a low IQ many will have IQ within the normal range. However, it is typical to have difficulty with executive functioning skills as well as other brain functions.

Myth

Only ‘alcoholics’ have children with FASD

Fact

There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink in pregnancy. There are people living with FASD from all groups within society.

Myth

FASD is the birth mother’s fault

Fact

Alcohol is the cause, not the birth mother. Research shows reasons for alcohol use in pregnancy include lack of knowledge, poor advice, stress, alcohol dependency and pressure from a partner.

Myth

Nothing works for people with FASD

Fact

With the right support people living with FASD can achieve great things.

Myth

You can tell if someone has FASD because of the way they look

Fact

Less than 10% of people living with FASD will have different facial features.

Myth

The placenta protects the foetus

Fact

Alcohol passes through the placenta to the baby. The baby is unable to process the alcohol because their liver is not yet functioning.

Myth

Everyone with FASD presents the same

Fact

People with FASD will all have their own individual presentation.

Myth

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or counselling will fix the difficulties

Fact

Traditional therapies may not be suitable for some behaviours due to brain changes caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. They can, in some cases, make things worse. Any therapies should be FASD- informed.

Myth

FASD has taken away their future

Fact

Given the appropriate support people with FASD can achieve great things and have full and happy lives.

Myth

It hasn’t been proven that a little alcohol can cause FASD

Fact

The chief medical officer has said there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink in pregnancy since 2016. The fact is, there is no proven safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy.

Mythbuster

It’s time to sweep away the old myths!

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