The Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society reports that 37 percent of babies are exposed to binge drinking during pregnancy and that 15 percent of those babies are born needing special education. A mother who drinks alcohol during pregnancy places her baby at risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FAS), which affects facial features, growth and the central nervous system of her developing baby. This can lead to both learning and behavioral difficulties for the child. There is no cure for FAS, but there are several treatment options available.
Nutrition
A child suffering from FAS can often benefit from a gluten and casein free (GFCF) diet, says the Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society. The damage caused to a child's body after high exposure to liquor before birth can impair the body's digestive abilities, and ingesting gluten or casein can lead to unpredictable behavior. Gluten is present in wheat, rye and barley, and casein is the major protein present in milk. Those caring for children with FAS also need to monitor vitamin levels for optimum health for the child.
Education
Education for at-risk mothers prior to pregnancy can reduce the number of children born with FAS, says the Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society. Once a baby is born with FAS, parents are usually involved with social services so that the child is monitored in terms of care and safety in the home. Early educational intervention for the child is also an important treatment. The Individuals with Disabilities Act allows children under 3 access to services that provide a better outcome for their individual problems. Once in school, children with FAS often receive special education, and the best way to treat them is with simplicity, routines, consistency and specificity, says the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Center.
Medications
Because FAS often causes mental health issues due to alteration of chemicals in the brain, it is often treated with stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin and antidepressants like Paxil and Prozac, says the Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society. Stimulants can treat behavioral issues and the antidepressants can help alleviate neurological symptoms. These include compulsions and obsessions that often interfere with a person's life. Successful treatment often includes medication combined with other forms of treatment.
