There are different characteristics that accompany FAS in
the different stages of a child's life. "At birth, infants
with intrauterine exposure to alcohol frequently have low
birth rate; pre-term delivery; a small head circumference;
and the characteri stic facial features of the eyes, nose,
and mouth" (Phelps, 1995, p. 204). Some of the facial
abnormalities that are common of children with FAS are:
microcephaly, small eye openings, broad nasal bridge,
flattened mid-faces, thin upper lip, skin folds at the
corners of the eyes, indistinct groove on the upper lip,
and an abnormal smallness of the lower jaw (Wekselman,
Spiering, Hetteberg, Kenner, & Flandermeyer, 1995; Phelps,
1995). These infants also display developmental delays,
psychomotor retardatio n, and cognitive deficits.
As a child with FAS progresses into preschool physical,
cognitive and behavioral abnormalities are more noticeable.
These children are not the average weight and height
compared to the children at the same age level.
Countries by birth rate in 2008
US insular areas-B FAS
3-fas spänningarCognitive
manifestations is another problem with children who have
FAS. "Studies have found that preschoolers with FAS
generally score in the mentally handicapped to dull normal
range of intelligence" (Phelps, 1995, p. 205). Children
with FAS usually h ave language delay problems during their
preschool years. Research has also shown that these
children exhibit poorly articulated language, delayed use
of sentences or more complex grammatical units, and
inadequate comprehension (Phelps, 1995). There are many
behavioral characteristics that are common among children
with FAS. The most common characteristic is hyperactivity
(Phelps, 1995). "Hyperactivity is found in 85% of
FAS-affected children regardless of IQ" (Wekeselman et al.,
1995, p. 299 ). School failure, behavior management
difficulties, and safety issues are some of the problems
associated with hyperactivity and attention deficit
disorder. Another behavioral abnormality of with children
with FAS, is social problems. "Specific diffic ulties
included inability to respect...