ABSTRACT
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was brought to the attention of professionals and the public more than 25 years ago (Jones & Smith, 1973; Jones, Smith, Ulleland, & Streissguth, 1973). Since that time, there has been extensive study, both in animal models and in clinical studies, of the teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the development of offspring, confirming original observations and extending our understanding of this disorder. Estimates of the incidence of this disorder in the general population of the United States, using prospective active surveillance studies, range from .50 to .97 cases per 1,000with clinically based estimates being higher particularly among high-risk groups (Abel, 1998). Thus, although it is not widely recognized as such, prenatal alcohol exposure is one of the leading causes for birth defects and cognitive disorders and the implications for academic functioning are significant.
