Content area
Abstract
Objective. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the current quality of life of adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) living in British Columbia. FASD refers to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and alcohol related birth defects (ARBD) and the prevalence is estimated to be 9.1/1,000 in the U.S. (Sampson et al., 1997). Caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, FASD is characterized by facial anomalies, growth retardation and neurological and behavioural deficits (IOM, 1996). The major study objectives were: (1) describe the current levels of community integration and independence of adults with FASD; (2) to gather information on several variables and study possible associations with community integration and independence; and (3) to compare agreement between subject and proxy on assessment of community integration.
Conclusion. The quality of life of adults with FASD living in British Columbia, as assessed by their community integration and independence, is poor. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
