The problem with the study is that the children examined were only from a high socioeconomic group and these children (as reported) tend to do better developmentally than children from a lower economic group.

Additionally, the adverse effects of light drinking is subtle, unlike the effects of heavy drinking.

Post from: Blisstree

Alcohol Study has Wrong Message

 National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:

“No safe time. No safe amount. No safe alcohol. Period.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

“Public health concern over the use of alcohol during pregnancy was first signaled in 1981 by the release of a public health advisory from the Office of the Surgeon General warning women who were pregnant or planning to become pregnant to abstain from alcohol use because of the potential risks to the fetus. Since that time the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued additional advisories in 1990 and 1995 reiterating that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not drink alcohol.”

“In fact, it’s best to stop drinking before you try to become pregnant.

More from the March of Dimes: “No level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been proven safe. The March of Dimes recommends that a pregnant woman does not drink any alcohol – including beer, wine, wine coolers and hard liquor – throughout her pregnancy and while nursing.

“Drinking while pregnant can cause fetal alcohol syndrome,

United States Institute of Medicine (1996):

“Universal prevention intervention strives to ensure that all members of society understand that drinking alcohol can have hazardous consequences, particularly during pregnancy. The universal prevention message for FAS is a conservative one that encourages abstinence prior to conception and throughout pregnancy as the safest alternative.”

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: “Laboratory studies suggest that a single drinking binge by a pregnant woman can damage for life the brain of her unborn child.”

“Drinking in late pregnancy is really unsafe for the brain… One glass of wine at dinner is unlikely to cause the damage, but we cannot say that any added intake would be safe… The most prudent policy would be to have no alcohol during pregnancy.”

American Academy of Pediatrics (1993): “Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the most common identifiable causes of mental retardation, with a worldwide incidence estimated to be 1.9 per 1000 livebirths. However, when children with less severe manifestations of the syndrome (FAE) are included, the estimated incidence may be as great as 1 in 300 livebirths. Evidence indicates, however, that physicians may not consistently inquire about alcohol use during pregnancy or recognize the full spectrum of the effects of prenatal exposure.”

“There is no established ’safe dose’ of alcohol for pregnant women.”

American Academy of Pediatrics (1998):

“FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation in newborns.”

“There is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.”

“Even one drink risks the health of an unborn baby.”

“Pregnant? Don’t Drink. Period.”

Post from: Blisstree

How Much Can I Drink if I am Pregnant?

Post from: Blisstree

After School Meltdowns

He got upset because I would not allow him to keep the key to the bathroom (they have a key to let you into the bathroom, not sure why but they do). I quietly asked him to give it back and explained that it was not his to keep or play with…that other people had to be able to use the bathroom but he was determined to play with it. It was going to be his. I again told him that I was sorry…that he was going to have to give it back.

Now, brace yourselves because this is where it gets a little scary.

After I placed the key onto the counter he turned to me and hit me in the gut, something I knew was coming so I grabbed his hands. He then kicked me, immediately screamed at the TOP of his lungs (remember, library?), and turned to climb the counter to get to the key. I gently pulled him down and he tried to head butt me and then turned and ran. He found the entrance to behind the counter and tried to get in but I stopped him, turned him around (again, kicking and screaming, kitting, headbutting, etc) and sat him down. Actually, I attempted to sit him down. Most of the time I can sit him in a time out and talk to him but this time he was far beyond anything I had EVER seen.

He got up again, kicked me, again, and ran to the counter, screaming. This is when I picked him up under my arms restraining him as best I could (purse is where? Oh yeah…grab that too) and walked out the door…nope. He decides to throw his glasses.

I stop.

He struggles and grabs my HMMM HAAA. A nice lady picks up the glasses and hands them to me, along with his hat. Gloves are gone.

I then hike up a hundred steps with a screaming five year old restrained under my arms.

Because he wanted to play with a potty key?

Now, the words certainly don’t do the violence and the aggression justice but I think you get my point…what the heck am I supposed to do here? And how am I supposed to deal with this when the Bebe comes home? We have not seen behaviors like this until now, at least not to this extent and It Scares Me.

BTW, I am calling the doctor today.

Post from: Blisstree

It Scares Me

The Autism Community is all in a huff over this article.

Dr Maggie Watts, vice chairman on alcohol for the Scottish Association of Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, fears that even low levels of drinking could be related to a range of behavioural problems in young children, the cause of which has previously been a mystery.
Watts, who is also a consultant in public health medicine at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, warned that up to one in 100 Scots children – as many as 9,000 – could be suffering from Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) with symptoms including behavioural and memory difficulties.

But she said many could be misdiagnosed as suffering from autism and other neurodevelopmental problems because doctors do not ask mothers about their pregnancy drinking habits when making their diagnosis.

In recent weeks, there have been a series of contradictory guidelines and reports on the ’safe’ limit for alcohol during pregnancy. Abstention throughout pregnancy is now the Scottish Government’s official advice but experts south of the Border say moderate consumption is acceptable after the first three months.

Watts is now firmly of the view that pregnant women should not drink. She said: “This condition is vastly under-recognised. It is certainly possible that children with this condition may have been diagnosed as having something else. We need to review some of these children with other labels to see whether they fit the criteria for FASD.

Huff? Talk about downright MAD, they are. But, the adoption community? Cheering! Finally someone got it right!

Stop drinking!

And me? I’m agreeing with Watts. I think alcohol consumption does cause developmental disabilities. I don’t think it causes Autism, but I do think it can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and FAS can have Autism symptoms.

Post from: Blisstree

Fetal Alcohol and Autism, is there a Link?