Welcome to the Arc/Muskegon

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Website

Arc/Muskegon (formally the Association for Retarded Citizens) is one of the many local chapters of the largest grassroots agency advocating for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation and is 100% preventable. It is an important part of our advocacy efforts to educate people regarding the dangers of drinking during pregnancy, and its potential life long effects.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

FAS is a set of mental and physical neurobehavioral disabilities that are the direct result of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation; occurring more frequently than Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Spina Bifida COMBINED! It is 100% preventable.

Incidence of FAS

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, 1990) estimated that 1.9 in every 1000 children are born with FAS or Alcohol Related Neurological Disorders (ARND). NIAAA (1990) estimated that Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) occurs three time more often than FAS.

Source: A Streissguth: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome-A Guide for Families and Communities (1997)

Did You Know?

• When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol so does her baby. If the mother drinks alcohol, it enters her bloodstream and then through through the placenta to the baby.
• Alcohol is a teretogen
• FAS causes permanent Brain damage
• The first trimester is the most critical time for the developing fetus.
• More common in males
• Peak drinking years for women correlate with child bearing years.
• The cost to American taxpayers for FAS is estimated to be $5 million a day - 1.9 billion a year:National Institute on Drugs and Alcohol

Diagnosis

• Devos Childrens Hospital
  100 Michigan St. SE
  Grand Rapidis, MI 49503
  (616) 391-2319
  Sandy Burgess, Clinic Coordinator
• Spectrum Prevention and Treatment Services
  2301 Platt Rd.
  Ann Arbor, MI 48108
  (734) 971-7900
• Marquette General Hospital
  Women and Children's Specialty Clinic
  427 Magnetic
  Marquette, MI 49855
  (906) 225-4777
  Sue Britton, Center Coordinator

Now Available From Arc/Muskegon:

A Pre-Diagnostic Screening Tool

Who can use? Teachers, Social Workers, Health & Human Service Agencies, Parents.

A Diagnosis Screening Tool

Who can use? Nurses, Physicians

(Contact Arc for a copy)

These screening tools were a collaborative project of the Washtenaw County Advisory Group on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the Michigan Department of Community Health with funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Support Groups

Grand Rapids, MI

Janet Donning
(616) 532-3689

Directly Available from Arc/Muskegon

• Complete FAS Informant Packet
• Guest Speakers
• Local Resource Information
• Parent Support
• Videos
• Pre-screening and diagnostic tools

Website Links

National Organization on FAS

Sterling L. Clarren, MD

Diane Malbin, M.S.W

Ann Striessguth, Ph.D

Arc National

Area Resources

Barb Wybrecht
(616) 241-9127

Muskegon County FAS Advisory Committe

Mara Bringedah
Womens Health Center
(231) 777-6209

David Cashbaugh, Limited Licensed Psychologist
(231) 722-6107

Bill Marshall
(231) 733-2126

Karen Youngs-Hartly
Lakeshore Coordinating Council
(616) 846-6720

Blyth Pierce/MaryLou Kramer
Child & Family Services
(231) 726-3582

Margaret Sheffer
Muskegon Public Schools
(231) 726-5901

LouAnn Utzinger
MAISD-Early On
(231) 767-7256