Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 

Imagine having a child that didn’t ask to be in this world, directly causing them to have developmental issues, and then wanting nothing to do with them. Sad cruel world we live in. Don’t have children if you’re not ready for them period.

I have Fasd as well my mum got drunk every day when she was pregnant. I think it should be against the law to drink when you are pregnant or be charged with assault and child abuse.

So the mom messes him up and then abandons him for her own mistake?

My heart goes out to these people, considering how preventable this disorder is.

I wish him the best

I have adopted a boy with fasd too. My heart breaks when he gets frustrated. I fight for supports for him constantly. He’s 12 now and there is so much more going on and the future is scary and uncertain. There needs to be more understanding of this disability for these people to be successful.

Come on New Zealand. Recognize this disability and help these people.

This breaks my heart. I’m autistic and have many of the same issues. I’m 25 and “look normal”, I hold a job, but I have horrid issues with functioning and doing normal adult things. I rarely have anger outbursts but when I do it’s like I lose control of my body and I feel bad because it scares the crap out of my parents. I wasn’t diagnosed til age 23 because I was “smart” and precocious as a kid and women/girls used to not get diagnosed almost ever. But I’m a woman with autism, and people often don’t even believe me because I can keep up appearances at work or whatever but things fall apart at the end of the day. I can really feel the sadness and empathy of their parents. That’s how my parents feel and I know it. I know they are frustrated when I do something stupid and impulsive or can’t seem to do what I’m told. I really feel for them. I want to hug them all. In a way, I just get it.

I’ve always said, that as a competent and aware adult- if you want to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, do drugs, or the like, knowingly introducing a substance into your body- then have it. But, when your body becomes the vessel in which an innocent life is thriving off of- that is no longer just “your” body. To subject a fetus and eventual baby, to your own selfish personal desires is about the cruelest thing a mother can do. When I see a pregnant woman smoking a cigarette it takes all of my energy not to say something, let alone do something. It’s just sick. It’s awful. You’re setting your child up for a lifetime of both mental and physical defects. How could someone do that?

this guy seems more mature than me and im turning 21 soon, and im perfectly normal, this guy deserves compassion and help

My heart goes out to this young man, he's very insightful and able to remain positive is incredible. I truly hope the he's successful in life, he deserves the world.

I can totally relate with being treated as a child or the fear of being ridiculed. I too have FASD and have tried to run from it for most of my life. Unfortunately their is no cure no escaping it. So you must accept it.

Why is this condition so unrecognized? Seems likely that it's because alcohol is a legal and taxed substance with vested interest by the numerous alcohol company's, the government and society as a whole who are so emotionally/socially dependant on alcohol. This is purposefully suppressed because of shame, guilt and greed.

I find this so sad. No matter if he has FASD or ADHD or just gets angry because of his early life and do things he shouldn’t. No human life deserves to be on the street, with a low quality of life when we have so many luxuries day to day that end up in the garbage. The NZ parents latter in the film are beautiful people and I hope they get support.

That Crossroads place is a real gem

Interesting, by the way how they talk you would never expect them to have such a disability.

I've got F.A.S too I'm 25 year's old I was adopted at the age of 2 years in the USA, I was born at 7 months at birth I weighted 1 Pound and 3 Ounces The Alcohol did permanet Damage to my Brain. Caused a Hole in my heart I also had an aneurysm. My Left ventricular Artrty had a defect A.S.D / Atrial Septic Defect. I had surgery in Denver Co. at 3 month's old I was taken away from my natural mom ( Due to Severe Neglect ) and family I was placed in the South Dakota, Foster care system ( At 1 year I was Severely developmentally Delayed at this point in my short life I had Just Rolled over onto my Stomach ) I was also born with a condition called "Hypotonia" It's Weakness in both my Muscles and joints through out my whole body. I was adopted after I turned 2 years old. a Dr who Diagnosed me with Having Low Muscle Tone once told my Adopted Mom that I'd Never be able to walk, talk or even eat normally He said I'd be Wheelchair Bound for my entire life. He was wrong He said theres nothing you can do to help her. my mom thought Yes there is something I can do. So She took me to McDonald's Every day and i'd play on their indoor Playground equipment. Teachers would come to my house from 45 + minutes away and they would work with me.

This guy is intelligent. He needs a job.

Charity for these individuals as they can be considered as vulnerable adults and prone to all avenues of exploitation. Help maximize their potential.

Alcohol is such a dangerous drug. Legal and deadly. He deserves a better life.

Please tell me they didn't just show his stash spot? Uncool man.

It’s really really selfish for a parent to drink while they’re pregnant

NEVER JUST GIVE UP ON SOMEONE ESPECIALLY FAMILY. IF THEY DONT LOVE THEMSELVES THEN SOMEONE NEEDS TOO

It's cruel to abandon their own kid with a developmental diagnosis like fasd.

I FASD, ADHD, ANXIETY, LEARNING DISABILITIES, CELIAC DISEASE, IRON DEFICIENCY, ACID REFLUX. I was adopted into a Chinese family at 4 months. I have never done drugs, alcohol, or smoke. I can’t find a job due to my issues and I qualified to do the job but people think I’m gonna be to much to handle.

I was a psychiatric social worker in the US working at the most intensive outpatient service level for 8 years, and most intensive inpatient level for one. I can attest that there is a huge lack of education in healthcare on FASD. We would see cases where it was clear it was likely the issue, though a total lack of resources for us as professionals in regards to continuing education. I can't count the number of trainings I've been to and/or have received advertisements for TBI, Autism and Mental Retardation yet none for FASD. Individuals with FASD instead get diagnosed with a litany of disorders instead of FASD. Bipolar, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and as children ADHD. Even if these conditions are co-occurring it doesn't address the elephant in the room and these guys of course don't fully respond to treatment since the FASD is never addressed. Even when it is the resources for how to treat aren't widely available to healthcare providers. As a psychotherapist I've at times felt helpless and left to piece together resources on my own. I've seen firsthand countless times the 0-120mph in regards to anger outbursts, struggle with impulse control, difficulty with being adaptive, understanding social behaviors, being able to plan. It's definitely the lead cause of incarceration, homelessness, substance abuse, employment difficulties it's really a lot of tragedy that could be avoided. As a healthcare professional I can say that my colleagues and I wanted the education and the resources like specialized services for the FASD. In the US it is also difficult since Developmental Disability services, Mental Health services, and Substance Abuse services tend to be run by separate administrations. When all really need to be working together. At times having for instance a Developmental Disability like FASD excludes that individual from mental health services, and substance abuse services lack the knowledge to work with these folks so they have an incredibly high drop out and kick out rate in addiction services. Not to mention that when Developmental Disabilities are missed in childhood it's next to impossible to get that funding as an adult. FASD definitely is the diagnosis that is missed the most in childhood. It's a mess and almost always the FASD cases fall through the cracks. In mental health we actually aren't allowed to diagnose it since developmental disabilities fall in a completely different category of assessment, and once again near impossible to get for undiagnosed adults. So we would have to as a team unofficially make the diagnosis and do what we could based on the mother's addiction history and diagnostic criteria. We've even gone as far as pulling pictures of the facial features on our phone and comparing it to the client. I don't even know if FASD qualifies for Developmental Disability funding in the US since in every case we'd try and try to get the services for assessment and fail. Without the official diagnosis we couldn't even apply for it.

I have the same disability thanks for my birth mother, but it made me the person I am today. I was bullied because of my behavior I couldn’t control 😓

His mother's lying

Dude is sharp as a tack but seems hypo, just like he said himself. Hopefully can channel that energy into something fulfilling for the future.

Thank you for sharing this, the conversation around FASD has to be a much larger one than it currently is. I know some of the people in your report, and I also know what these parents and the people living with FASD are dealing with day to day. It was nice to hear from the people directly affected, we need more of that conversation especially.

All the best to this young man with such a positive spirit

I know you can't get a benefit without an address, but why doesn't someone put him up for 2 weeks at their place, even in a tent, while he gets a WINZ appointment with the help of a social worker even, so he can get at least a $220 a week benefit and get lodgings somewhere in Blenheim. There is no need for a kiwi citizen in NZ to not have income and be on the streets...

I have fetal Alcohol Syndrome spectrum disorder

Thank you for bringing awareness to this.

I think i have a touch of fasd my mom slowed her drinking during pregnancy..but still kept drinking. Selfish person she was.

What a shame the animal lover has a job at steggles. I hope he can get a better. Fortunately he is surround by a loving and supportive family. The poor guy without support is struggling alone, I wish here were more services for these folk. 💗

Omg the dyslexic lad in school. I never really had behaviour problems, I was a people pleaser. But I got called lazy and struggled with my working memory. And all the teachers even after my diagnosis said I was lazy, that I wasn’t trying hard enough. Seriously you shouldn’t go into teaching if you’re not passionate about educating all children.

It's a disability and should be treated as such. This man needs help and a place to live. :'(

When women smoked until the 80’s, it wasn’t common knowledge that cigarettes were harmful to a fetus. I had children in the 60’s & ‘70’s. Only in the 70’s did the doctor say alcohol is probably harmful. They said nothing about cigarettes. I didn’t smoke or drink so it didn’t pertain to me. My step child’s mother smoked and drank heavily and those kids were MESSED UP behaviorly.

i have FASD im 25 and looking for support

Great video, really informative I look forward to a time in New Zealand we can recognize FASD as a disorder and have services to care for people who suffer with this I have FASD and constantly fear for my future because people see this disorder as a criminal problem rather than a mental health problem

Sending all the love and hugs to him 😊💓

Hi I have fasd and I am 29 years old sometimes I wish I did not have because I got bullied at high school I went to a specials school that helped a little bit but I did not know that I had the fasd until I was 19 years old then I under stud why I was diffent to everyone my really mum did drink when I was in her but she died when I was 9 years old if it was not for my adopted mum I would not be were I am I work as a actor it has not been easy but I enjoy my self. I hope you can find a good job you love doing

Then I think of all the chronically homeless. It's a tough world for lots of people. Thank you for posting this.

he has an amazing attitude

FASD is real, iv'e seen allot of people with FASD in the industry I work in. Its definitely a disability that left unchecked can lead to reckless decision making and lack of comprehension.

Rivers are magical places. So glad he has one to go to for solace.

Ngl, Jakob's hideout looks super comfy

If his mother had been drinking while driving and hit someone with her car she would be in jail for a time to pay for her crime.

A girl i grew up with has fetal alcohol syndrome. She's had it very rough. From a mother that still drinks daily from breakfast to bed all this time (we are both 28 now), to a grandmother that has taken "care" of her all these years with an iron fascist style of parenting. Very abusive. Guys have taken advantage of her in all the worst ways. She had a hard time in school as well, socially and academically. She STILL somehow was a total sweetheart that whole time. From the physical, mental and sexual abuse she dealt with, a lesser person would've snapped. She was a little different, having her own disposition that some people didn't get. But it wasn't from FAS. She was just a character. She struggled in school but only because she was so severely broken emotionally. She didnt try. But in terms of intelligence, she was smart. She just didn't learn at the pace or how others did. But after high school, she got a job and started working towards leaving home. Her grandmother wouldn't allow her to work and save up until she was out of school. Not to focus on studies, but so she couldn't leave so soon. They needed a house slave, so they did what they could to slow her progress. She eventually got a car, and that's when i started to lose her as a friend. The sweet girl became bitter and pushed everyone away. Though i hardly blame her. She met a 40 year old guy at 19 and he took her in to "save" her from her family. He beat and raped her whenever he did certain hard drugs. When he broke her jaw and caused a miscarriage, he went away and she returned home. Sadly, she is now on disability and spends her days heavily drinking with her mom, NEVER leaving the house aside from 2-4 trips a month to the store to stock up on food and ridiculous amounts of booze. She stopped talking to me, as whenever she got drunk she would yell at me over the phone saying how i judged her for her life (which i NEVER did.), and how since I'm a guy I'm nothing but a demon. I dont blame her for how she feels towards men, but i was like a brother to her.. I did EVERYTHING I could to uplift her and show her how awesome she really was. But she's gone now. She turned into her mother, sadly. I've told her i will ALWAYS be there for her if she needed me, but she blocked me. Not once did i preach, suggest different choices, stifle her plans, or wrong her. I only showed her love and patience, figuring she needed to come to her own decisions, as too many people forced their will upon her already.. Maybe letting her spread her wings while around me was wrong. Maybe I should've sternly told her how i worried about her bad choices.. But i didnt want to rule or influence her in any way. I wanted to lead by example. She's since had a kid with a guy, but lost her to dcfs bc of her violent household and chronic binge drinking. Hannah, you will always be my sister. I love and miss you. I hope you'll be happy someday and find healthy love. I also hope you someday realize none of the abuse was your fault. You have ALWAYS been, and ALWAYS will be worthy, good, valid, important, etc. You are enough. Please be safe. I'll be there if you ever need me. To your grandmother and mother.... Shame on you both. You both contributed to the brightest light dimming down to a slight glow.

Everyone from New Zealand seems so nice

The blonde guy should become a model, so handsome!! Wish them all the best. They are so intelligent and have so much to give

How unfair life is for some poor soul s with this disability

I have falcholol syndrome as well as a small seizure disorder, I find the best way to help is just forget the past and be happy man with whatever you do besides drugs

Great video

Women who drink during pregnancy, it is all over the map as to why.. some don't know right away they are pregnant, others have a disease (alcoholic), some were raped, dealing with depression, on and on, so please don't judge them, in reality they need help. ❤ take care, an lets try to take care of each other.✨

i hope everyone can get help, i wish i would help but i am too selfish and out for myself

I liked these boys. They have so much to deal with and it is a medical condition. So few of us realize that.

Being homeless in NZ looks chill bruh

Beautiful! 'Sure im different, but m instill human!' Xxxx

I do understand that some women don't know they are pregnant. They don't get morning sickness, they don't gain weight, or have any other symptoms of pregnancy. Recently I went to visit a friend of mine, we were having a great time, getting things ready for a Bar-B-Q. After about 45min a few other people started to arrive, we were talking and getting everyone something to drink. Out of nowhere my friend just collapsed on the ground, our other friend(luckily a nurse) ran over and was already calling an ambulance 🚑... well long story short..we followed the ambulance to the hospital and by the time they opened the ambulance door to take her inside she had delivered a 5lb baby boy...now the look on her face was just a mix of extreme shock and terror...and of course we were just as surprised because she did not gain weight or anything ...well they got her settled in a room while we waited in the waiting room, suddenly a nurse comes running into the waiting room and says I need one of you to come with me... so we send (friend nurse) in...about 45min later she comes back and tells us " she was panicking because she started thinking about the fact that she had a few drinks", because she didn't know she was pregnant and she was afraid she had harmed the baby...luckily so far baby boy is perfectly healthy, he was about 4weeks premature, 5lb at birth 6/12lb four days later and allowed to go home with his mom and his very surprised and happy dad...just don't judge a mother without knowing her story...simply asking in a polite manner, not accusing or negative manner; How far along were you when you found out you were pregnant?? The answer may surprise you

Both good guys. I like them.

18:45 I heard dyslexia is more common in left-handed people.

Fasd for me has 3 triggers; 1. Brain to mouth(trying to formulate sentences) 2. Ear to brain (hearing or listening) 3.tunnel focus (unwavered focus) 1.If im brain to mouthing and ear to brain happens my brain to mouth is gone or the other person becomes offended.. 2.If im trying to ear to brain and my brain to mouth happens then ì miss everything. And thus in lies my disability. 3.If i am focused on something i miss most things.

Exercise is very good too it stimulates your brain and doesn’t really make you think as much so is yoga

For me I was born in 1990 before they knew that it was a spectrum disorder, that and my mom lied about it, drinking with me when she was pregnant with me... But she lied to the doctors she lied to everybody. I was adopted. The state took me away from her. The same with my brothers and sisters. I qualify for every check mark in the fasd checklist. I'm going to go get tested next week. I know that what's going to happen is I'm going to find out it's the truth. my mom drank with me when she was pregnant with me... The thing is when I met her when I was 18 she tried to tell me this but she told me in a way where it sounded as she was drinking after I had gotten taken away. But in fact it was before. And it's really f****** fantastic that I find this out when I'm 27 years old, instead of you know when I maybe four or five like I should have? The thing is I'm not pissed off at my parents, the ones who adopted me, for not looking into it when I brought it up a long time ago... I'm more pissed about the fact that my own birth mother didn't want me wanted to get rid of me and ended up pushing out and not going through with it seeing.? Why couldn't my mother have gotten a real abortion? Why did she have to drink with me? Why did she lie to the doctors? Why did she lie to her best friend? I asked the halfway house lady who is still working there to this very day whether or not my mother drink while she was pregnant and whether or not that was the reason why she had to give me up. She didn't want to tell me but she looked down and looked very sad. She said I was a good person.

Maybe someone should start a petition and standing up for the people with FAS, and try to get this condition covered as a disability! This is a condition that is caused by a government controlled substance!!! It is the same as children born with opiates in their system, another government controlled substance!!! I live in Ontario and lucky, enough the children born with these conditions can and do get help from the government in the way of schooling and programs to help them handle the hardships, come of age because they have either of these conditions, they qualify for disability assistance, this allows for them to to afford housing and food, plus they can access programs. There is so many children born with these conditions that programs do have a long waiting list and at times, help is slow getting, but do not give up keep fighting for what you are entitled to and good luck.

I think my mother has this spectrum, becose her behavior, her temper and facial features. I don't have it but I know there is something in her, she has been always very aggressive with me, I'm already an adult but my childhood was a nightmare, my mother was single and I don't have any brother, I grew with her and my grandmother, I always tried to understand what was going on to her, and now I'm pretty sure that she has it, sorry for my english I'm from Spain

I know someone who has FAS and we were friends for over a decade

Not that this matters but looking at the childhood photos Jakob definitely had some of the facial features of FAS (not as evident as a young adult looks like), surprised he wasnt diagnosed before

You don’t realize that before the 1900s (industrial revolution) it was unheard of to have clean water. Clean water in most areas meant river water mixed with alcohol, and most people have had FASD in their lineage. That said, it is sad how much it exists even in the 2020s, heck the fact that people are still producing children is pretty incredible FASD or not

Very interesting. It's sad that not everyone will be able to overcome fasd barriers, or learn to find the positive in it, in the way that Jacob did. And we are only at the start of the swell. A few months ago there was a terrible incident in America, a woman pushed an elderly man off a public bus. He died. With the brief info available and photo I believe that the perpetrator has fasd. I don't say this to insult anyone. To make any assumptions about criminality. But it just seemed instantly obvious to me. I would be interested to know if anymore viewers know of this case and would agree? Edit: her name is Cadesha Bishop.

Heart broken

I have FAS. And ADHD, it sucks. I can’t rem a lot, everyone has to help me with stuff it sucks 😖, my moods are up and down all day everyday it sucks and my mum is an alcoholic and drank a lot with me a lot, and she dosent think it’s her fault that I have this problem 😒 they can’t take responsibility

I can see the facial features

I have fasd. I wish that woman would not t drink when they are pregnant. Hope that this two man have a good life and get a girlfriend or a wife soon

I know this guy how you going its jess from levin

How do you know if you have the facial features?

As a person with fasd I can confirm it’s a living hell 90 percent of the time

they are just so misunderstood

Sorry...... i don't understand. How can anyone fet FASD if the mother hasn't drunk alcohol while pregnant. It seems a ridiculous diagnosis

Very sad. Hopefully Daniel will get help in prison.

One would think being human one would want to fully understand human nature and anatomy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100% preventable if people are educated on the matter. This is 2019 how is it possible woman can question whether alcohol will harm their unborn child!?!

I agree with the lady that said how sad for this boy that his family doesn’t want to have much to do with him even though, it was the mothers doing! This guy has to stop acting like everybody is telling him what to do and trying to understand that people want to help him finally. I know what this condition is, due to having siblings born with it as well, and it has made their lives hard but, with help with others helping them get into housing, disability benefits and medical, they are doing well. There rent and bills get paid automatically and they are given the difference to do whatever they need to with. It is a hard life but my siblings cope fairly well now. I don’t know where this video is made from but, there not classing fas, not a disability, is causing a lot of hard lives for these people, it IS a disability, that apparently, your government body has a major one!

You’d think FASD would qualify for resources, just on the basis of cost to society. Those with Down Syndrome or ASD very rarely cause problems with the law; not so with FASD.

Why don't you move here?

I get you i got it too 🙂

Poor guy...hes really smart too..he needs a break and a home

he walks so much he should become a triathlete or something

Why are they smoking so young 😥😥

2:30 | If that’s not FAS then idk what is! This poor kid has every single facial and physical feature of FAS. From the low muscle tone, the downward slopped mouth, low nose bridge, close together eyes, low set ears…

Who is here for sam o nella?

Such a shame for him. Not his fault.

I have Fas and schizophrenia,my dad have Fas and schizophrenia and my mum too.Its very hard.I wish the parants don't born me.This is not live

I don't think it's alcohol. I think it's rolled tobacco papers.

One question, is that UK?

I have it too

Nice guy who needs a ✋!

Drinking during pregnancy: that is so empowering.

Reggie girl and Birdie BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRDIE BIRD 🐦