some stigmata. At birth, the child with FAS usually evidences some typical characteristics. These include low birth weight, short nose, thin upper lip, low set ears and widely spaced eyes (Horowitz, 1983).
According to Hatfield (1986) close examination of the literature does not support the view that any amount of alcohol will have a detrimental effect on the fetus. At present, it appears that only those women who consume large amounts of alcohol on a chronic basis are at risk of giving birth to children with fetal alcohol syndrome and its associated anomalies. She argues that prevention should be aimed at this group of women. Blanket warnings and recommendations for total abstinence are said to serve little purpose other than to instill unnecessary fear, anxiety, and guilt in those women at little or no risk while having no effect on the real target audience--the chronic heavy drinkers.
Streissguth and Giunta (1988) provide the following description of the characteristics of an FAS child over time: ...a scrawny, jittery newborn with a weak suck, a small head, an unusual-looking face, a heart defect, or other malformations. Preschoolers with FAS may be short, skinny children with butterfly-like movements who are hyperactive and/or excessively friendly and fearless. (p.29)
As the child progresses through school, a number of other deficits soon are noted. These include attention deficits (Nanson & Hiscock, 1990), intelligence and other neuropsychological deficits (Conry, 1990), as well as problems with learning, attention, and memory; fine and gross motor problems; organizational and problem-solving difficulties; and psychosocial problems (Streissguth, Sampson, & Barr, 1989).
Rice (1986) notes that, over time, the behavior patterns of FAS children can include impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor judgment, and difficulty in remaining on task. There can also be unusual, erratic sleeping patterns. In addition, Rice poi...