Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is the topic. FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effect that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. The effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.
“Each year in the United States, as many as 40,000 babies are born with an FASD,” says Brian J. Illencik, a certified perinatal addiction specialist and a renown expert on FASD who will be the featured symposium speaker. “The cost to the nation for FAS alone is almost $6 billion a year.”
Illencik’s presentaton will range from How alcohol affects the unborn child and Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis to The impact of FASD on other family members as well as Survival tips for parents of children with FASD.
Open to parents, teachers, human services providers, health care professionals and the general public, the symposium is free and includes a continental breakfast. However, pre-registration is required and the signup deadline was yesterday. For more information, call Mary Lodge at 307-9950 ext. 18.
The symposium is being sponsored by The Southwest Council, an affiliate of the N.J. Prevention Network. The council is an alcohol, tobacco and other drugs prevention and education agency serving southwestern New Jersey. For more information, visit southwestcouncil.org
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