Alcohol abuse during pregnancy has been associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Research to date has focused on the role played by ethanol in the development of this disorder. In addition to ethanol, alcoholic drinks also contain methanol. Hence, consumption of alcohol can also lead to methanol accumulation. Methanol is metabolized to formaldehyde, which is then rapidly metabolized to formate, a toxic metabolite. Folate, a B-vitamin and antoxidant, is a cofactor in the metabolism of formate. This study assessed the relationship between formate and folate, formate kinetics in folate deficiency and, changes in antioxidant capacity during formate insult in folate deficiency. The findings of this study would lead to a better understanding of the role of formate in the development of the etiology of FASD and form the basis of future research. The relationship between formate and folate was investigated in intoxicated human female subjects, sober drug rehabilitating females and, pregnant women. A negative (inverse) relationship was observed between plasma formate and folate in pregnant sober women (correlation coefficient = -0.4989). Such a relationship, however, was not observed in whole blood in alcohol intoxicated (correlation coefficient = 0.0899) and detox women (correlation coefficient = 0.2382). Because of the health promoting ingredients in grain and fruit based alcoholic drinks, antioxidant B-vitamins were higher during intoxication while homocysteine levels were lower.<p>Formate kinetics during folate deficiency and changes in the body antioxidant capacity was investigated in folate deficient young swine. Folate deficiency altered formate kinetics leading to decreased systemic clearance (by approximately 2.3 fold), increased half-life (by 2.5 fold) and, consequently increased exposure (by 2.7 fold). Folate deficiency alone compromised antioxidant capacity. However, the combination of folate deficiency and formate insult further compromised antioxidant capacity.<p>In conclusion, methanol accumulates after alcohol intoxication, which can lead to formate build up in the body. During folate deficiency formate kinetics is altered leading to reduced formate clearance and increased exposure. Exposure to formate coupled to folate deficiency compromises antioxidant capacity, which can have deleterious effects on the fetus.

The purpose of this study was to come to a greater understanding of the experiences of birth mothers of children with FASD since the birth of their child. The principles of feminist research practice were utilized throughout in order to give a voice to the women who participated in the study. The research followed the general guidelines to conducting hermeneutic phenomenology outlined by van Manen (1990). Purposeful sampling was used to recruit four birth mothers of children with FASD who have been involved in the mothering of that child. Data was generated through three semi-structured interviews with each participant, including a hermeneutic interview in which the women participated in the process of interpretation. Data was analysed using selective, detailed and wholistic methods and through the process of writing and re-writing (van Manen, 1990).<p> The results focus on the social and emotional experiences of the women who participated in the study. The experience of being a birth mother of a child with FASD is represented in a discussion of four main themes: Living with the Past: Self-Forgiven, yet Always Present; Living with Others: Judgement and Understanding; Living with the Self: Unworthy and Unfit; and Living with Ambivalence: Mothering as a Birth Mother. The implications of this research in relation to the understanding of the experiences of birth mothers of children with FASD and potential supports are discussed.

Alcohol abuse during pregnancy has been associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Research to date has focused on the role played by ethanol in the development of this disorder. In addition to ethanol, alcoholic drinks also contain methanol. Hence, consumption of alcohol can also lead to methanol accumulation. Methanol is metabolized to formaldehyde, which is then rapidly metabolized to formate, a toxic metabolite. Folate, a B-vitamin and antoxidant, is a cofactor in the metabolism of formate. This study assessed the relationship between formate and folate, formate kinetics in folate deficiency and, changes in antioxidant capacity during formate insult in folate deficiency. The findings of this study would lead to a better understanding of the role of formate in the development of the etiology of FASD and form the basis of future research. The relationship between formate and folate was investigated in intoxicated human female subjects, sober drug rehabilitating females and, pregnant women. A negative (inverse) relationship was observed between plasma formate and folate in pregnant sober women (correlation coefficient = -0.4989). Such a relationship, however, was not observed in whole blood in alcohol intoxicated (correlation coefficient = 0.0899) and detox women (correlation coefficient = 0.2382). Because of the health promoting ingredients in grain and fruit based alcoholic drinks, antioxidant B-vitamins were higher during intoxication while homocysteine levels were lower.<p>Formate kinetics during folate deficiency and changes in the body antioxidant capacity was investigated in folate deficient young swine. Folate deficiency altered formate kinetics leading to decreased systemic clearance (by approximately 2.3 fold), increased half-life (by 2.5 fold) and, consequently increased exposure (by 2.7 fold). Folate deficiency alone compromised antioxidant capacity. However, the combination of folate deficiency and formate insult further compromised antioxidant capacity.<p>In conclusion, methanol accumulates after alcohol intoxication, which can lead to formate build up in the body. During folate deficiency formate kinetics is altered leading to reduced formate clearance and increased exposure. Exposure to formate coupled to folate deficiency compromises antioxidant capacity, which can have deleterious effects on the fetus.

The purpose of this study was to come to a greater understanding of the experiences of birth mothers of children with FASD since the birth of their child. The principles of feminist research practice were utilized throughout in order to give a voice to the women who participated in the study. The research followed the general guidelines to conducting hermeneutic phenomenology outlined by van Manen (1990). Purposeful sampling was used to recruit four birth mothers of children with FASD who have been involved in the mothering of that child. Data was generated through three semi-structured interviews with each participant, including a hermeneutic interview in which the women participated in the process of interpretation. Data was analysed using selective, detailed and wholistic methods and through the process of writing and re-writing (van Manen, 1990).<p> The results focus on the social and emotional experiences of the women who participated in the study. The experience of being a birth mother of a child with FASD is represented in a discussion of four main themes: Living with the Past: Self-Forgiven, yet Always Present; Living with Others: Judgement and Understanding; Living with the Self: Unworthy and Unfit; and Living with Ambivalence: Mothering as a Birth Mother. The implications of this research in relation to the understanding of the experiences of birth mothers of children with FASD and potential supports are discussed.

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may suffer numerous cognitive impairments, including significant problems with executive functioning, language, attention, and memory [40]. It is estimated that two to five percent of children born in the U.S. are affected by FASD [34]. It has been shown that training improvements can be made in working memory and attention in children with ADHD [25]. Computerized training with game elements enhances not only motivation but training efficacy of these interventions [38]. This thesis examines the creation of two suites of serious games, Cognitive Carnival and Caribbean Quest, intended to improve working memory aspects of attention with the assistance of a trained psychology interventionist in a therapeutic setting. A game-based approach is chosen to provide motivation to children for sustained cognitive challenges presented by cognitive exercises built into the gameplay. Cognitive Carnival was shown by interventionists to have positive effects in neuropsychological studies of populations of children with epilepsy and FASD [33, 30]. / Graduate

The cognitive and/or behavioural problems associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) place this population at increased risk of involvement in the justice system. Although FASD poses challenges at each stage of the justice system, legal discussion and commentary have pinpointed the sentencing stage as the phase in which the issue of FASD is most commonly raised and considered. The purpose of this study is to examine if (and how) FASD is being taking into consideration at sentencing. To this end, a comparative analysis of 87 sentencing judgments (42 FASD offenders and 45 non-FASD offenders) reported in Quicklaw was conducted. Cases were matched on most serious offence (assault, robbery and sexual assault) and jurisdiction (Yukon, British Columbia and Ontario). Descriptions of FASD and non-FASD offenders as reported by judges were found to differ in a number of significant ways. Similarly, sentencing purposes applied to each offender group emerged as distinct. Despite these distinctions, no differences were found in the type and length of sentence handed down (even after controlling for criminal record and breaches). These findings indicate a need for further research and possible policy changes.

Objective: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a permanent developmental disorder that can occur if women drink alcohol while pregnant. Despite substantial variability in FASD as a population, anecdotal evidence and clinical reports suggest that affected individuals have difficulty learning from experience and generalizing information from one situation to another, and tend to make the same mistakes over and over. Consistent with research in cognitive and educational psychology, these difficulties were conceptualized as impairments in “transfer of learning.” This dissertation sought to measure transfer of learning using three experimental transfer measures and an exploratory parental transfer questionnaire. In addition, performance on the experimental transfer measures was investigated in relation to aspects of executive functioning, because abilities thought to underlie successful transfer bear much resemblance to aspects of executive functioning. Participants and Methods: The sample included 16 children diagnosed with FASD and 16 age- and gender-matched control children. Children were screened for intelligence and excluded if their performance on both Vocabulary and Matrix Reasoning from the WISC-IV fell below the 9th percentile. Children completed three transfer tasks: (1) a novel, experimental modification of the Tower of Hanoi involving nested plastic cups and Tupperware containers; (2) a variation of Chen’s (1996) Bead Retrieval Problem; and (3) the Purdue Pegboard. Participants also completed three executive functioning tasks that were selected to measure concept formation and flexibility: (1) Picture Concepts from the WISC-IV; (2) the D-KEFS Color-Word Interference Test; and (3) the Visual-Verbal Test. In addition, parents or caregivers completed an exploratory questionnaire designed to assess children’s transfer of learning abilities in everyday life, along with the ABAS-II, a standardized measure of adaptive functioning. Results: Children with FASD displayed significantly weaker performance on the Transfer Condition of the Tower of Hanoi, even after controlling for intelligence. Group differences were not observed on the Bead Retrieval Problem or on the Purdue Pegboard. On the measures of executive functioning, control children outperformed those with FASD on all measures before controlling for intelligence. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the Tower of Hanoi and the Visual-Verbal Test; the latter was the only executive functioning task related to transfer of learning. This finding, however, did not persist when intelligence was accounted for. After controlling for intelligence, significant group differences also were found on parental ratings of everyday transfer ability and on more complex aspects of adaptive functioning. Conclusions: Two out of four newly created measures in this exploratory dissertation provided partial support for weak transfer of learning in FASD. This was observed on the modified Tower of Hanoi, which shared an identical structure between conditions but differed in surface appearance. Parental ratings also indicated weak transfer of learning, although in children with FASD, these reports did not correlate with transfer abilities on the Tower of Hanoi. Children with FASD also demonstrated weak executive functioning, but this weakness was moderated significantly by intelligence. The relationship between transfer of learning and executive functioning appeared to be driven primarily by cognitive flexibility, although this relationship also was moderated by intelligence.

Magister Artium - MA / Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a global problem that affects various communities. FASD denotes a pattern of abnormalities intermittently seen in children born to women who consume huge quantities of alcohol during pregnancy (Church & Kaltenbach, 1997). Church and Kaltenbach (1997) suggest that FAS may be one of the primary causes of hearing, speech and other language problems in children. The two main approaches used to determine the effects of FASD on language are standardised language test (using a statistical approach to test some or all four domains of language, namely, phonology, syntax, morphology and semantics) applied to close-ended questionnaire answers and, to some extent, narrative analysis (in the course of which researchers use wordless picture books to analyse narratives in order to determine the social-communicative characteristics of individuals with FASD). Although the use of standardized measures of language might be helpful to determine problematic areas in relation to the different language domains (Wyper & Rasmussen, 2011), they do not show the difficulty with social-communicative functions which these children might be facing (Coggins, Friet, & Morgan, 1998). On the other hand, while narrative analysis addresses an important level of language (discourse level), it does not foreground the inherently interactive nature of language use and the problems that may be associated with communicative interactions. These shortcomings, in turn, suggest possible limitations in the interventions intended to address the language needs of children with FASD. There is, therefore, a need for complementary approaches that offer a more rounded picture of language impairment in children with FASD. In this study, three approaches are used in identifying features of the speech of children with FASD against the backdrop of comparisons with features in the speech of normally developing children. Firstly, conversational analysis (applied to spontaneous, open-ended speech) is introduced as a means to determine the more social-interactive aspects of speech impairment in children with FASD. Secondly, measures of linguistic aspects of speech (the mean length of utterance, Index of Productive Syntax and the number of different word roots) designed specifically for spontaneous speech are employed (they are applied to the same spontaneous data as the conversational analysis data). Thirdly, the more traditional standardized language test measures applied to non-spontaneous speech are used (covering the four domains of syntax, phonology, semantics, and pragmatics). The study’s objectives are to (1) compare patterns in the interactive speech of FASD children and normally developing children; (2) explore the relationship between FASD children and normally developing children in relation to both spontaneous speech measures and standardized measures of language; and (3) compare the impact of the primary caregiver's level of education on testing through spontaneous measures versus standardised measures. Using data from 14 children in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town, South Africa, the study finds that, on the conversational analysis measures, children with FASD, in contrast to normally developing children, tend to obey fewer rules of turn-taking, to overlap less, to engage less in self-repair and to struggle with management and maintenance of topics. The study also finds that children whose scores on the standardized language tests (with non-spontaneous data) suggest they have no language difficulty, especially in terms of phonology, obtained scores in measures of spontaneous speech that indicated language difficulty. The study also found that the socio-economic status of caregivers was a credible explanation for certain features in the speech of children with FASD is very similar to features in the speech of normally developing children. This finding highlights the role of family setting in mitigating the effects of FASD. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Abstract Prenatal alcohol-related disorders are highly prevalent and result in permanent, lifelong disabilities. The child may be born with debilitating birth deformities and severe cognitive deficits. These children have a low life expectancy, and a low quality of life. They are disproportionately represented in juvenile justice and foster homes, and they are more likely to be high school drop outs, incarcerated, or misdiagnosed, and have higher rates of mental illness. Despite these impairments, there are few state statutes in place that protect the rights of the fetus. This is because the fetus has not been recognized as a person. Feminist groups argue that if the fetus was granted personhood and rights, then women would be relegated to the inferior position of a fetal vessel. This paper addresses these concerns and advocates for state enforced mandatory rehabilitation for pregnant women who are addicted to substances. Mandatory rehabilitation has precedent and is a logical solution. Additionally, this paper investigates the controversy of whether there is a safe dosage that can be consumed while pregnant that will not harm the fetus. While there is no safe dosage found, and women are strongly advised to understand that an unnecessary risk is involved with any prenatal alcohol consumption, there is a body of evidence suggesting that low-level drinking may not have a clinically significant effect on the fetus. Thus, women should be allowed, within the law, to make the choice to drink lightly during pregnancy, because it is not assaulting the fetus. By drinking prenatally, the woman chooses not to provide the most optimal intrauterine environment. However, the fetus is not entitled to an optimally pregnancy, but is entitled to a non-assaulted development

The cognitive and/or behavioural problems associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) place this population at increased risk of involvement in the justice system. Although FASD poses challenges at each stage of the justice system, legal discussion and commentary have pinpointed the sentencing stage as the phase in which the issue of FASD is most commonly raised and considered. The purpose of this study is to examine if (and how) FASD is being taking into consideration at sentencing. To this end, a comparative analysis of 87 sentencing judgments (42 FASD offenders and 45 non-FASD offenders) reported in Quicklaw was conducted. Cases were matched on most serious offence (assault, robbery and sexual assault) and jurisdiction (Yukon, British Columbia and Ontario). Descriptions of FASD and non-FASD offenders as reported by judges were found to differ in a number of significant ways. Similarly, sentencing purposes applied to each offender group emerged as distinct. Despite these distinctions, no differences were found in the type and length of sentence handed down (even after controlling for criminal record and breaches). These findings indicate a need for further research and possible policy changes.