NOFAS works to
prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol and other substances of abuse known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and supporting women before and during their pregnancy, and supports individuals, families, and communities living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and other preventable intellectual / developmental disabilities.
This course can be offered in either 2 or 4 hours and is designed for professionals interested in learning more about the effects
of prenatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs, the short and long term concerns of parental substance use and abuse, and recommendations for supporting children and families affected by this issue.
If
the prenatal exposure to alcohol occurred in the context of social drinking or binge drinking prior to knowledge about being pregnant, it is important to address the mother's emotions and concerns, and support her decision to quit alcohol use when she did.
Despite greater awareness of the dangers of
prenatal exposure to alcohol, the rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders remain alarmingly high.
Low birth weight may well be a reflection of other causal factors - for example, delayed fetal development due to genetics,
prenatal exposure to alcohol, toxins, or infections, poor prenatal nutrition.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that a number of factors can influence exactly how alcohol impacts the brain, including how much and how often a person drinks, how long the individual has been drinking,
prenatal exposure to alcohol, and the overall state of a person's health.
Risk factors lead to developmental delays: Children with risk factors, such as living in low - income households, abuse or neglect,
prenatal exposure to alcohol or other substances, and low parental education, have a higher incidence of developmental delays and disabilities than the general population.