How Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Affect My Child’s Early Development and Mental Health
(A simple guide for mothers)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) happen when a baby is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The most severe form is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). When a baby is exposed to alcohol in the womb, the brain is the organ that is hurt the most – even if the child looks completely normal on the outside.
Even small amounts of alcohol can reach your baby when you are pregnant. Alcohol easily crosses the placenta and reaches the baby. Because a baby’s brain and body are still growing, even small amounts of alcohol can cause permanent damage – especially to the brain – even when the child looks perfectly normal on the outside.
How alcohol harms the developing baby
Damages or kills growing brain cells → lifelong difficulties with learning, memory, attention and behaviour
Slows overall growth → low birth weight, shorter height, smaller head
Can affect the face, heart, kidneys, bones, hearing and vision
There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, no safe trimester, and no safe type of drink. The only 100 % safe choice is to avoid alcohol completely when you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop now – the baby’s brain continues to develop throughout pregnancy, and stopping at any time still helps.
If you are finding it hard to stop, please reach out for free, confidential help without judgment.
Signs you may notice in early childhood (0–5 years)
Many signs appear long before school age:
Delayed milestones: late to sit, crawl, walk or talk
Feeding difficulties (weak sucking or trouble moving to solids)
Very fussy, hard to soothe, poor sleep
Does not point, wave “bye-bye”, or play simple games at the usual age
Seems “behind” other children in playgroup, but it’s hard to explain why
How FASD affects behaviour and mental health (toddler years and beyond)
Alcohol damages specific parts of the brain that control:
Attention and focus → easily distracted, cannot sit still (often mistaken for ADHD)
Impulse control → grabs things, runs away, acts without thinking
Emotional regulation → big upsets or anger very quickly
Memory → forgets rules and routines even after many reminders
Understanding consequences → repeats unsafe actions
Social skills → wants friends but struggles with sharing, personal space or reading social cues
Because the brain works differently, children with FASD are at much higher risk of:
Anxiety and extreme fears
Depression (sometimes as early as primary school)
Frequent overwhelming meltdowns (not “naughty behaviour”)
Being wrongly diagnosed with ADHD, autism or oppositional defiant disorder
Key facts from research
More than 90 % of people with FASD will experience mental health problems in their lifetime
60–70 % show ADHD-like symptoms
Over 50 % develop anxiety or depression before age 12
Without the right understanding and support, many face school exclusion, contact with police or addiction later in life
The good news: early help makes a huge difference
When FASD is recognised early (even if only suspected), simple strategies work very well:
Clear routines with pictures or visual schedules
Short, one-step instructions
Calm environments with fewer choices
Speech therapy, occupational therapy and play-based early intervention
Children who receive the right support in the first five years usually do much better at school, make friends more easily, and have fewer mental health struggles as they grow.
A message to every mother
If your child seems “always in trouble”, acts much younger than their age, or has very big emotions, please speak to your clinic or paediatrician about FASD screening. Early understanding is never about blame — it is about giving your child the best possible future.
You know your child better than anyone. You are their strongest advocate. With the right information and support, many years of worry can turn into years of real progress and a happier family life.
(Information based on guidelines from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Organization, and Canada FASD Research Network – updated 2024–2025)
About the Writer:
Mrs. Chinwendu Obileme is a highly qualified Mental Health/Psychiatric Nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and brings a wealth of expertise to her role as our Imo State Program Manager. Holding a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) and with extensive experience as a registered midwife, she has also contributed significantly to mental health initiatives through her work with the Nigeria American Institute for Mental Health.
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