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Summary of FASD

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of permanent birth disorders caused by the mother drinking alcohol during her pregnancy.

FASD includes:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS)
• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ARND)
• Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)

FASD can cause physical, behavioural and cognitive disorders, the effects can vary from very mild to extremely severe and are irreversible and permanent. FASD is 100% preventable - if a mother does not drink alcohol during her pregnancy, a baby will not be born with FASD. FASD is also 100% irreversible.
The FASD Task Team promotes the message that NO amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

The FASD Reference Group

A Western Cape Provincial FAS reference and working group was established following a strategic meeting on provincial level in 2001. FAS was declared a provincial health priority between the years 2001 to 2002 by the then MEC of Health. It was chaired by the provincial Maternal, Child and Women’s Health Deputy Director with members selected from the Department of Social Services, Department of Education, the FAS regional coordinators, a geneticist (University of Stellenbosch), a neuro-developmental pediatrician (University of Cape Town), NGOs such as FARR (Foundation for Alcohol Related Research), and Dopstop. The Medical Research Council and Pebbles Organization joined later as members.

Since 2006 the group was no longer chaired by the provincial department of health, but still continues the good work and operates as a group consisting mainly of the NGO sector and researchers interested in the prevention of FASD. The importance of the FAS-reference group in the Western Cape Province cannot be overstated. This group is motivated, task-oriented, and, through their work ethic, they show that the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is really their earnest goal. The original FAS Reference Group is now called the FASD Task Team.

The History of the FASD Task Team

The FASD Task Team have worked collaboratively on many successful projects in recent years, and their achievements include –

• A FAS training manual for health care workers, educators; school psychologists, social workers and other professionals working with people with FASD, their families and caregivers;



• Posters designed and distributed creating awareness about the dangers of drinking while pregnant;



• A FASD Conference in 2005 for 250 delegates, attended by international and local guests, hosted by the Sport Science Institute, Cape Town;



• International FASD Day 9 September 2007 event in Kenilworth Centre, Cape Town, with a range of stands and public awareness information available;



• Establishing a FASD Training Workshop that was held in November 2007, and available to be repeated according to demand.



• Organising and managing successful annual International FASD public awareness event at the V&A Waterfront on the 7th and 9th September 2008.



• The team are currently working on the production of a FASD-focused WORLD HEALTH CALENDAR for 2009.



• The team have also been responsible for setting up this FASD website for South Africa, to allow our international contacts and local supporters follow developments in the field of FASD work and research in our region, and in South Africa as a nation.