Insight has been investigating the burden that undiagnosed foetal alcohol damage is placing on the public, the community and individual families (2015). In November 2013 the government committed itself to implementing recommendations from a select committee into improving child health outcomes over Foetal alcohol disorder. These recommendations included calls for specific action to be taken.
Ms Rogan said "drinking rates among pregnant women in New Zealand appear to sit at 25 to 30 percent, which would be high compared with other countries" (Tolley, 2015). At least 10 percent of expecting mothers drink at rate that is dangerous for their unborn child.
"We have an opportunity at the moment to be part of a World Health Organisation (WHO) study but we have not [got] government funding and the WHO obviously won't fund a country like New Zealand" (Tolley, 2015).
The intentions would be to take a deeper look into foetal alcohol disorder, how the world health organisation can work at preventing it and the best support that can be offered for mothers and families dealing with foetal alcohol syndrome. There is so no cure foetal alcohol syndrome and its effects last a lifetime. The best cure is prevention.
"Ministry of Health advisor on child and youth health Pat Touhy said two options were being considered: the WHO option favoured by Ms McGinn and a suggestion to use longitudinal research under way already in Auckland - 'Growing Up In New Zealand'" (Tolley, 2015). It is urged that taking action will lead to better understanding of foetal alcohol syndrome resulting in better medical care.
To cause harm on an unborn child will soon become illegal in the United Kingdom according to Satherley (2014). Currently in New Zealand unborn children have no rights and are not recognised legally until after their birth (Rights of the unborn child, 2011). Questions surrounding whether or not the right of life does apply to foetuses are an area of conflict between many people (Rights of the unborn child, 2011). To criminalise a pregnant woman for drinking alcohol foetal rights would have to first be recognised. Recently National MP Tim MacIndoe stated “Personally I think prosecuting women for drinking would be going too far. There would be an outcry. Having said that, every encouragement should be given to expectant mothers not to drink” (Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder reaching pandemic proportions, 2014). Reinforcing MacIndoe’s statement, experts have previously stated that banning drinking for pregnant women or creating laws surrounding foetal rights and alcohol will not help prevent alcohol consumption in pregnant women (Satherley, 2014).
Foetal alcohol children in ECE
Children with foetal alcohol disorder suffer from behavioural disorders and intellectual disorders, sometimes resulting in misbehaviour or hard times in an early childhood setting. This can be a struggle and test for both the teacher and family of the child. However, with the correct research and funding many unanswered questions and suggestions for working with children with foetal alcohol disorder could be answered.
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