Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is an ongoing problem in the Western Cape. Marginalised and poverty-stricken communities use alcohol as a method of entertainment because it is freely available and relatively inexpensive. Due to a cycle of ongoing poverty and lack of education, many women drink large quantities of alcohol when they are pregnant or before they know they are pregnant. This causes the unborn baby to be severely at risk for FAS. There has been much research done in academic and social environments on the presentation and symptoms of FAS and of behaviour. Less research has been done surrounding the mother's experience of her FAS child, it is therefore my aim to research this gap in the research. This research study investigated the experience of mothers who raised children with FAS. Many mothers of children with prenatal exposure to alcohol feel conflict and guilt regarding their children and I attempted to find out what their general experience surrounding this was. Within this research topic I aimed to investigate the mothers' attitudes, their behaviour towards and their general perceptions of their developing child with FAS. This was viewed from an eco-systemic framework in which the mother is an integral part of different systems impacting and working together, that influence her maternal functioning. Finally, the aim of this research study was to ascertain how best mothers of FAS children could be supported. In this same process, I hoped, the mothers could learn to feel empowered to help and support their child, and in the process attempt to shift ongoing cycles of negative behaviour patterns to more positive outcomes.

The thesis devotes to the negative effects of alcohol abuse during pregnancy on early psychical development of the child. It surveys the problematic fields of development of the children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. The theoretical survey is accompanied by qualitative empirical part, which contains four case studies of children in the age of 6 - 72 weeks whose mothers were drinking alcohol during pregnancy. There are several problematic areas in the development of these children, for example growth deficit, retardation of the psychomotor development (especially in speech, gross motor skills and social behaviour), attachment disorders and eating disorders. These signs correspond to the scientific literature, but there are differences in the extent and frequency in the children Key words: alcohol, fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, early psychomotor development

Previous research has shown a relationship between prenatal teratogenic exposure and impaired cognitive functioning. However, data regarding the long-term outcome of prenatal teratogenic exposure are minimal. The present study investigated the long-term neuropsychological functioning (specifically attention and memory) of adults prenatally exposed to alcohol or phenylalanine, and examined whether there was evidence to suggest that there are effects specific to individual teratogens. Using a battery of attention and memory measures the performance of 17 adults diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and 13 adults with Maternal Phenylketonuria Syndrome (MPKUS) was assessed. In order to identify the pattern of deficits associated with prenatal teratogenic exposure, an age and CA and IQ matched control group was assessed. Attention was broadly assessed using Mirsky et al.'s (1991) neuropsychological model of attention. The memory and learning tests administered included a number of well standardized measures of verbal learning, verbal and visual recall, delayed recall, and recognition. Paired comparisons between the FAS group and age and CA and IQ matched controls indicated a unique pattern of attention and memory deficits consistent with previous research with children and adolescents. Specifically, adult individuals with FAS appear to have deficits in acquisition of new material, delayed recall of verbal material and in response inhibition. Paired comparisons between the MPKUS group and CA and IQ matched controls indicated that the pattern of attention and memory deficits seen in adults with MPKUS is difficult to distinguish when the effect of IQ is removed. A randomized block design using IQ as the blocking variable and group (FAS, MPKUS, or Controls) as the treatment variable was utilized to examine the question of whether the two prenatal teratogen groups differ from one another and from Controls in terms of attention and memory ability. Ten blocks of three participants (FAS, MPKUS and Control) matched on IQ were formed. The randomized block analyses revealed few differences between the groups and failed to reveal a number of the differences found in the paired comparisons between the prenatal teratogen groups and the CA and IQ matched Control group. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.

M. Tech. Graphic Design / Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a congenital syndrome cased by excessive consumption of alcohol by the mother during pregnancy, characterized by retardation of mental development and of physical growth. Lack of public information and intervention is one of the reasons why the syndrome persists in townships and rural areas. This study was undertaken in response to the lack of public knowledge within high-risk communities concerning Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The study hypothesized that embedding persuasive techniques within health communication material would create effective health communication campaigns that would be well received by target audiences.

Mental retardation is a heterogeneous group of disorders with countless causes. It is characterised by cognitive and functional limitations in everyday skills, for example social skills, communication skills and motor skills and can be classified in behavioural, etiological and educational systems. Down's syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are two of the many syndromes defined under mental retardation. The goal of this dissertation was to determine the effect of a water activity intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of children with Down's syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These aims were addressed by structuring the dissertation in five chapters: Chapter one constituting the introduction and statement of the problem, Chapter 2 presenting a review of relevant literature, Chapters 3 and 4 consisting of two research articles, addressing the specific aims of the study, and Chapter 5 including the summary, conclusions and recommendations. All the children who participated in the study were intuitionalized in a school for the mentally and physically handicapped. The MABC-test was used as the main evaluation instrument, and components of the Charlop-Atwell test were used to evaluate the coordination skills of the children with Down's syndrome. The first aim of this study was to determine the effect of a specially designed water activity intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of children with Down's syndrome. Six children classified as having Down's syndrome, formed part of the research group. Their chronological age ranged between 9 and 14 years while their mental age classification was that of a 4 to 5 year old. The data was analysed by means Summary of descriptive statistics, and effect sizes were determined. The second aim of the study was to determine the effect of a water activity intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Six children participated in the programme. Their chronological age ranged between 7 and 17 years while their mental age classification was that of a 4 to 11 year old. Reporting the results were in the form of case studies, and effect sizes of differences were determined. With regard to the first aim of the study the results indicated that the motor proficiency levels of the experimental group with Down's syndrome improved, especially regarding the MABC-total, balance- and total body coordination skills. With reference to the second aim of the study, the results indicated that improvement in the motor proficiency levels of the children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome had a lasting effect. The MABC total, ball skills and manual dexterity were the components that showed the best improvement. It can be concluded that a water activity intervention programme is a suitable method for rectifying motor deficiencies among children with Down's syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Recommendations for the improvement of the water activity programme were presented, as well as suggestions for further studies. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Mental retardation is a heterogeneous group of disorders with countless causes. It is characterised by cognitive and functional limitations in everyday skills, for example social skills, communication skills and motor skills and can be classified in behavioural, etiological and educational systems. Down's syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are two of the many syndromes defined under mental retardation. The goal of this dissertation was to determine the effect of a water activity intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of children with Down's syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These aims were addressed by structuring the dissertation in five chapters: Chapter one constituting the introduction and statement of the problem, Chapter 2 presenting a review of relevant literature, Chapters 3 and 4 consisting of two research articles, addressing the specific aims of the study, and Chapter 5 including the summary, conclusions and recommendations. All the children who participated in the study were intuitionalized in a school for the mentally and physically handicapped. The MABC-test was used as the main evaluation instrument, and components of the Charlop-Atwell test were used to evaluate the coordination skills of the children with Down's syndrome. The first aim of this study was to determine the effect of a specially designed water activity intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of children with Down's syndrome. Six children classified as having Down's syndrome, formed part of the research group. Their chronological age ranged between 9 and 14 years while their mental age classification was that of a 4 to 5 year old. The data was analysed by means Summary of descriptive statistics, and effect sizes were determined. The second aim of the study was to determine the effect of a water activity intervention programme on the motor proficiency levels of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Six children participated in the programme. Their chronological age ranged between 7 and 17 years while their mental age classification was that of a 4 to 11 year old. Reporting the results were in the form of case studies, and effect sizes of differences were determined. With regard to the first aim of the study the results indicated that the motor proficiency levels of the experimental group with Down's syndrome improved, especially regarding the MABC-total, balance- and total body coordination skills. With reference to the second aim of the study, the results indicated that improvement in the motor proficiency levels of the children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome had a lasting effect. The MABC total, ball skills and manual dexterity were the components that showed the best improvement. It can be concluded that a water activity intervention programme is a suitable method for rectifying motor deficiencies among children with Down's syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Recommendations for the improvement of the water activity programme were presented, as well as suggestions for further studies. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Joanne Rovet.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos da exposição pré-natal a duas doses de etanol sobre o desenvolvimento e a atenção de ratos. Método: 49 ratas Wistar prenhes distribuídas em quatro grupos de acordo com o tratamento gestacional: A35 – dieta líquida com 35% de calorias derivadas do etanol (CDE): A10 – dieta líquida com 10% CDE; Controle – dieta líquida sem etanol; Chow – livre acesso à água e ração. No estudo I, foram avaliados o peso, os reflexos (geotaxia negativa e força de agarrar) e a atividade locomotora dos filhotes. No grupo A35, apenas 43% dos filhotes sobreviveram. Os animais desse grupo apresentaram menor peso que os demais, prejuízos na tarefa de força de agarrar e maior atividade locomotora. No estudo II, 12 filhotes machos adultos de cada grupo foram testados na Tarefa serial de cinco escolhas. Os animais do grupo A35 apresentaram maior número de omissões, principalmente no final das sessões. Conclusão: Efeitos do etanol são dose-dependentes e podem estar associados com um prejuízo atencional específico. / The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to two doses of ethanol on developmental milestones and attention of rats. Method: 49 pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to one of four gestational treatments: A35 - liquid diet with 35% ethanol-derived calories (EDC); A10 - liquid diet with 10% EDC; Control – ethanol-free liquid diet; Chow – laboratory chow and water. In study I, litters were tested for body weight, negative geotaxis, grip strength and locomotor activity. Only 43% of A35 pups survived. A35 weighed less than other groups, performed worse in grip strength and presented more locomotor activity. In study II, 12 male twomonth old rats from each group were tested in the Five choice serial reaction time task. A35 performed more omission errors than other groups, mainly during the final part of the sessions. Conclusion: Ethanol effects are dose-dependent and might be associated with a specific attentional deficit.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos da exposição pré-natal a duas doses de etanol sobre o desenvolvimento e a atenção de ratos. Método: 49 ratas Wistar prenhes distribuídas em quatro grupos de acordo com o tratamento gestacional: A35 – dieta líquida com 35% de calorias derivadas do etanol (CDE): A10 – dieta líquida com 10% CDE; Controle – dieta líquida sem etanol; Chow – livre acesso à água e ração. No estudo I, foram avaliados o peso, os reflexos (geotaxia negativa e força de agarrar) e a atividade locomotora dos filhotes. No grupo A35, apenas 43% dos filhotes sobreviveram. Os animais desse grupo apresentaram menor peso que os demais, prejuízos na tarefa de força de agarrar e maior atividade locomotora. No estudo II, 12 filhotes machos adultos de cada grupo foram testados na Tarefa serial de cinco escolhas. Os animais do grupo A35 apresentaram maior número de omissões, principalmente no final das sessões. Conclusão: Efeitos do etanol são dose-dependentes e podem estar associados com um prejuízo atencional específico. / The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to two doses of ethanol on developmental milestones and attention of rats. Method: 49 pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to one of four gestational treatments: A35 - liquid diet with 35% ethanol-derived calories (EDC); A10 - liquid diet with 10% EDC; Control – ethanol-free liquid diet; Chow – laboratory chow and water. In study I, litters were tested for body weight, negative geotaxis, grip strength and locomotor activity. Only 43% of A35 pups survived. A35 weighed less than other groups, performed worse in grip strength and presented more locomotor activity. In study II, 12 male twomonth old rats from each group were tested in the Five choice serial reaction time task. A35 performed more omission errors than other groups, mainly during the final part of the sessions. Conclusion: Ethanol effects are dose-dependent and might be associated with a specific attentional deficit.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos da exposição pré-natal a duas doses de etanol sobre o desenvolvimento e a atenção de ratos. Método: 49 ratas Wistar prenhes distribuídas em quatro grupos de acordo com o tratamento gestacional: A35 – dieta líquida com 35% de calorias derivadas do etanol (CDE): A10 – dieta líquida com 10% CDE; Controle – dieta líquida sem etanol; Chow – livre acesso à água e ração. No estudo I, foram avaliados o peso, os reflexos (geotaxia negativa e força de agarrar) e a atividade locomotora dos filhotes. No grupo A35, apenas 43% dos filhotes sobreviveram. Os animais desse grupo apresentaram menor peso que os demais, prejuízos na tarefa de força de agarrar e maior atividade locomotora. No estudo II, 12 filhotes machos adultos de cada grupo foram testados na Tarefa serial de cinco escolhas. Os animais do grupo A35 apresentaram maior número de omissões, principalmente no final das sessões. Conclusão: Efeitos do etanol são dose-dependentes e podem estar associados com um prejuízo atencional específico. / The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to two doses of ethanol on developmental milestones and attention of rats. Method: 49 pregnant Wistar rats were assigned to one of four gestational treatments: A35 - liquid diet with 35% ethanol-derived calories (EDC); A10 - liquid diet with 10% EDC; Control – ethanol-free liquid diet; Chow – laboratory chow and water. In study I, litters were tested for body weight, negative geotaxis, grip strength and locomotor activity. Only 43% of A35 pups survived. A35 weighed less than other groups, performed worse in grip strength and presented more locomotor activity. In study II, 12 male twomonth old rats from each group were tested in the Five choice serial reaction time task. A35 performed more omission errors than other groups, mainly during the final part of the sessions. Conclusion: Ethanol effects are dose-dependent and might be associated with a specific attentional deficit.