How to Tell if Your Adopted Child Has FAE Fetal Alcohol Effect

Eye blinking is one identifier

Fetal alcohol effect is a lifelong disability caused by a birthmother drinking alcohol during her pregnancy. Sometimes there are physical characteristics to identify a child as FAE or FAS, but sometimes there are not. For these adopted children, who look normal, life may be even more difficult. People expect these children to behave and learn in a normal manner, but they cannot. Their brains are forever changed. If your child is adopted you may not know for sure what is causing your child's problems. How can tell if your child has fetal alcohol effect?

Things You'll Need

• Behavioral neuroscientist for EBC testing
• Physical characteristics
• Behavioral indicators
• Learning disabilities
• Socially challenged

Instructions

1. Test your child for "Eye Blink Conditioning" (EBC). It identifies subcortical deficits that are specifically affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. Eye Blink Conditioning" (EBC) involves using a conditioned stimulus such as a tone with an unconditioned stimulus like an air puff. Apparently normal human infants reach their physical capacity for the EBC response by five months of age. Therefore, if you suspect your adopted child may have been exposed to alcohol in utero you can find out early.

2. 

   Look for indicating features such as small eyes, low-set ears, or lack of a groove between the upper lip and nose.

3. Watch for social cues. Does your child have difficulty maintaining relationships? Does your child gravitate towards and befriend younger children?

4. 

   Does your child struggle with learning. For example, one day your child seems to know all of her multiplication facts and the next day none of them. Does your child struggle with reading, writing, and spelling?

Tips & Warnings

• Most of these symptoms can also indicate dyslexia, adhd, add, and SPD to name a few.

• Most children with FAE also have ADD or ADHD.

• Learning help is offered in public school to children with LD regardless of the original cause.

• Your child may need an IEP, Individual Education Plan, to graduate from school.

Resources

• Eye Blink Conditioning" (EBC
• Teenagers exposed to alcohol in utero
• Effects of fetal alcohol exposure
• Does your child need residential treatment
• Foster care and adoption advice
• How to tell if your child has SPD Sensory Processing Disorder