FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRAL DISORDERS (FASD) AND CRIMINALITY

INTRODUCTION

FASD is a cluster of child conditions that result from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Alcohol consumed by the mother easily passes through the placenta to the fetus. The developing fetus cannot process the alcohol as its organs such as the liver are either not developed yet or are in the developing stage. This exposure can result in long-term implications including physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning issues. Symptoms vary in each child but the impairments caused by FASD are permanent.

TYPES

FAS- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.pFAS- Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.ARND- Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders.ARBD- Alcohol-Related Birth Defects.

I. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): –

This is a severe type of FASD. This involves a problem with children’s vision, memory, hearing, attention span, and ability to learn and communicate.

Symptoms:

Due to the wide range of problems FAS covers, there are many possible symptoms.

Small head
Smooth philtrum
Small and wide set of eyes
Thin upper lip
Below average height or weight
Lack of attention
Hyperactivity
Poor coordination
Poor judgment
Delayed development and problems in thinking, speech, movement, and social skills.
Problems in hearing and vision
Deformed limbs or fingers
Slow growth
Intellectual disability, learning disorders.

II. PARTIAL FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (pFAS)

When the full diagnostic criteria are not met for FAS and the child shows some features of FAS.

pFAS involves-

Affirmative prenatal alcohol exposure.
Some facial abnormalities.
Signs of growth or CNS abnormalities.

III. ALCOHOL-RELATED NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (ARND)

This involves problems in neurodevelopment and behavior, learning, self-regulation, and adaptive skills. This also includes symptoms of FAS, which is characterized by facial features and growth retardation.

ARND symptoms can be assessed as: –

Neurocognitive impairment
Adaptive functioning
Self-regulatory challenges (i.e., behavioral problems)

IV. ALCOHOL-RELATED BIRTH DEFECTS (ARND)

This involves structural birth defects in organs such as kidneys, liver, brain associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR ASSOCIATED WITH FASD

These disorders are often associated with several co-morbid disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and Conduct Disorder.
Researchers have demonstrated that individuals with FASD have difficulty understanding the standard methods of punishment e.g., incarceration.
Individuals with FASD exhibit a number of cognitive and behavioral problems. It affects the abstract thinking of an individual. It causes difficulty in learning from personal experiences and the consequences of their actions. This could severely influence the ability to distinguish between situations where behavior is appropriate or not.
People with FASD have difficulty communicating and thus they face trouble in conveying how they feel about their experiences.
These individuals might understand what action is right or wrong but are unable to control their actions particularly in response to peer pressure.
Also, in some individuals, it is common to show a reduced ability to exhibit compassion, which may contribute to a lack of moral concern over potentially harming others.

REFERENCES:

Sundaram, J. (2018). Fetal Alcohol Spectral Disorders FASD Types. NeuroMedical Life Sciences. Retrieved from www.news-medical.net
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.(2017) Retrieved from www.healthline.com
Diagnostics at a glance. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from www.aap.org
Harker, K. A. (2014). Understanding Criminal Behaviour in Fetal Alcohol Spectral Disorders: Neurocognitive Deficits and Social Factors. University of SASKATCHEWAN.
Brown, J. & Wartnik, A. P. (2016). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the Criminal Justice System: Causes, Consequences and Suggested Communication Approaches. Forensic Scholars Today. Vol. 1 (4).
Brown, J. & McGie, J. & Wartnik, J.A. & Oberoi, P. & Wresh, J. & Weinkauf, E. & Falconer, G. & Kerr, A. (). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Criminal Justice System: A Review. Journal of Law Enforcement. Vol. 3(6)