Press Contact:

Julie Walsh
Director of Public Relations
Tel: (856) 348-4006 Fax: (856) 216-0643

Erin Allsman
Brownstein Group
Tel: (215) 735-3470, ext. 121 eallsman@brownsteingroup.com

 

4.26.11 ¦ Free workshop on fetal alcohol syndrome

Haddonfield, NJ—One in eight women reports using alcohol while pregnant, according to U.S. statistics – and their children can be left with serious, lifelong effects.

Bancroft will explore this issue in a free workshop titled "An Overview of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" on Wed. May 18 in Haddonfield.

This workshop, which Bancroft is presenting for the first time, will discuss the characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome, its prevalence, prevention, associated learning disabilities, physical impairments and more.

“Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders last a lifetime,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “There is no cure, but research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development.” 

Designed for the public and professionals, the workshop will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Farrington building on Bancroft’s Haddonfield Campus at 425 Kings Highway East.

The session will be presented by Cheryl Cifelli, LSW, a social worker for the Bordentown Regional School District.

For more information or to register, call Pat Reid at (856) 524-7453 or email preid@bnh.org.

Bancroft is a leading nonprofit provider of programs and supports for people with neurological challenges. This event is part of Bancroft’s ongoing series of free disabilities workshops. For the complete list of upcoming workshops, visit www.bancroft.org

About Bancroft
A nonprofit organization founded in 1883, Bancroft annually serves more than 1,300 children and adults with intellectual and developmental challenges and acquired brain injuries. Bancroft strives to ensure that every person is given opportunities for lifelong learning and fulfillment. It does this by altering perceptions and supporting people with neurological challenges in achieving their life goals as valued and respected members of our world.

Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft has sites in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Ocean, Salem and Middlesex counties, New Jersey; in New Castle County, Delaware; and in Philadelphia, Delaware and Montgomery counties in Pennsylvania. Programs include early childhood, education, vocational and supported employment, structured day programs, rehabilitation, community living, behavioral treatment, as well as in-home and outpatient services.

Additional background on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders from the CDC:
(web page: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html)
There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. There is also no safe time to drink during pregnancy and no safe kind of alcohol to drink while pregnant.
To prevent FASDs, a woman should not drink alcohol while she is pregnant, or even when she might get pregnant. This is because a woman could get pregnant and not know for several weeks or more. In the United States, half of pregnancies are unplanned.
Signs and Symptoms of FASDs include:

  • Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip

  • Small head size

  • Shorter-than-average height

  • Low body weight

  • Poor coordination

  • Hyperactive behavior

  • Difficulty paying attention

  • Poor memory

  • Learning disabilities

  • Speech and language delays

  • Intellectual disability or low IQ

  • Poor reasoning and judgment skills

  • Vision or hearing problems

  • Problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones