FASD and Indian Country: Continuing the Dialogue

FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD is not a diagnostic term. Under the FASD umbrella, individuals can be diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS), or Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (NDPAE). Each diagnosis can include significant medical and mental health problems.