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Every child with FASD presents slightly differently, a 'kaleidoscope' of presentations; we call this the 'spectrum' of FASD where what is seen in one child might not be seen in another, here is a list of commonly seen signs and symptoms, but not exhaustive: 

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• Failure to thrive (baby)

• Feeding difficulties 

• Sleeping (too much or very little)

• Poor social skills

• Lack of boundaries

• Slow information processing

• Memory; particularly working/short term, difficulty storing & retrieving information, inconsistent

• Motor control issues, balance, rhythm, strength, motor planning and sequencing

• Struggle to regulate; angry or frustrated & may take longer to calm, struggle to modulate their emotional state. 

• Cognition; dealing with abstract concepts, such as maths, money management, time concepts

• Extreme under or over-sensitivity to sensory input

• Attention; struggle with selective, focused, sustained, and flexible attention, for example, in concentration, hyperactivity and impulsivity

• Difficulty following directions or connecting step instructions

• Executive Functioning; struggle to be able to find something to occupy themselves, struggle with their capacity for goal-directed behaviour, including self-regulation, working memory, planning, organising

• Difficulty linking actions with consequences

• Poor judgment & impulsiveness

• Highly suggestible / influenced by others / no stranger danger (highly vulnerable)

• Difficulty generalising knowledge

• Difficulty understanding abstract concepts

• Difficulty understanding cause-&-effect relationships

• May struggle with transitions

• May be prone to confabulation (making stories up using pieces of information from several different  memories; they do this without thinking .... this is not lying but it may appear so)

• Learning difficulties (commonly but not limited to maths)

• Language - slow auditory processing pace, can struggle with using the right words for the right context (they can talk the talk but if you ask them about what they have just said they might not understand any of it)

• Receptive language is often much lower than expressive language​​

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Strengths

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• Friendly, likable: May be outgoing & sociable & have little anxiety about strangers

• Verbal, chatty: May be very socially interested (but not necessarily socially skilled)

• Helpful, hard-working: If you ask, they will do it. They can be very good workers with the right job & training however it needs to be supported

• Determined, resilient: They don’t hold grudges & will come back if rejected. Every day is a new day!

• Want to be liked: They will do whatever they can to have friends

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There are 328 co-occurring (co-morbid) conditions which can affect various body systems and are often related to the central nervous system, vision, hearing, and cognitive abilities. The specific conditions and their prevalence can vary widely, within the FASD spectrum. 

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Important Considerations:

• The Spectrum:

  It is crucial to remember that FASD is a spectrum, meaning the types of co-occurring conditions can vary greatly from person to person. 

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• Early Intervention:

  Early identification and intervention can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with FASD and related conditions. 

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• Individualised Approach:

  Because of the wide range of potential co-occurring conditions, it is essential to take an individualised approach to assessment, diagnosis, treatment & support.

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• Ongoing Research:

  Research is ongoing to better understand the complex interplay between FASD and other conditions, and to develop effective interventions