Mothers’ drinking drives disabled children into NDIS

A horrifying warning has been issued that COVID-19 lockdowns could create a “baby boom’’ of brain-damaged children as pregnant women hit the bottle to combat stress. This is what really happens to children born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

“BOOZE babies’’ left brain-damaged by their mothers’ drinking are costing taxpayers $115m a year – or $85,000 each – for disability care.

 The National Disability Insurance Scheme is supporting 1360 Australians with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, caused when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy.

FASD KIDS EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL

CALL TO BAN WINE FROM HOSPITAL MENUS

Queensland has more people disabled by FASD than any other state or territory.

Three-quarters are children – including 200 kids aged seven to 14, and 41 babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

The National Disability Insurance Agency – which manages the $22bn NDIS – said the average annual cost of providing care to participants with FASD was $85,088.

And the government-funded Alcohol and Drug Foundation has warned that COVID-19 lockdowns could create a “baby boom’’ of brain-damaged children as pregnant women hit the bottle to combat stress.

ADF chief executive Erin Lalor called on women to stop drinking any alcohol during pregnancy, or while trying to fall pregnant. “Drinking in pregnancy can cause brain damage, heart problems, eye problems and learning difficulties in the baby,’’ she said.

“It happens when the foetus is exposed to alcohol at any time of pregnancy.

“Just don’t drink – don’t take the risk.

“We know that some people are drinking alcohol more regularly at home during the pandemic and there is a concern that we will see a baby boom, and in another nine months time there could be increased risks of babies with FASD.’’

The NDIA told a federal parliamentary inquiry into FASD that participants “may require supports for life’’ through the taxpayer-funded NDIS. It revealed that half the NDIS participants with FASD were Aboriginal, and warned that many children were waiting “many months’’’ for a diagnosis, with “the worst cases not receiving services at all’’.

“FASD may not be diagnosed at birth unless specific facial features and growth factors are evident,’’ its submission states. “Frequently children do not receive a FASD diagnosis until they have entered school as this is when behavioural concerns and learning difficulties tend to become more apparent.’’

The NDIA said Australian women “remain unaware’’ that drinking in the first three months of pregnancy – when some may not even know they are pregnant – can cause “facial anomalies’’.

“There is no cure for FASD and its effects last a lifetime,’’ the NDIS submission states.

“Children with FASD can present with … global developmental delay, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, cognitive disabilities, physiological disabilities and chronic ill-health.

“The intellectual, behavioural and social challenges associated with FASD may result in an increased risk of contact with the criminal justice system.’’

Queensland has 420 NDIS participants with disabilities caused by drinking in pregnancy, compared to 405 in NSW, 133 in Victoria, 177 in Western Australia, 71 in South Australia, 13 in the ACT and 99 in the Northern Territory.