[jsp]

I seem to always find more things to increase my anxiety level but now I am concerned about FAS. Anybody adopted or adopting from Russia have similiar concerns?

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Yes, we had the same concerns. We traveled blind and turned down 2 referrals due to FAS. However, we used an international adoption clinic in the U.S. to evaluate our referrals to help us determine the risk of FAS. I highly recommend doing that. Our 3rd referral (who is now our son) was given an "average risk" feedback from the IA clinic, and he has been home for 8 months and so far has no signs of FAS.

[orenmommy]

There is certainly alot to be anxious about with the whole adoption process. However, there are many healthy children in Russia that need a home and love. We also hired a doctor to help us review everything but in the end went with our feelings and emotions and not so much what was on paper. On paper, DS was not even on the charts for anything. He was premature weighing in at 2 pounds at birth. While he is of course smaller than his peers, he is a happy , healthy (has never had any medicine in 3 years home) 4 year old. Goes to preschool, plays tennis, can swim, does gymnastics!!! Just wanted to show you what these children can do with a little love and care! DD was on the charts for everything and is also doing all of the above at age 4. Healthy and happy kids (and parents too) Best wishes to you.

[amyfk]

Believe me, I could have written your post. I was very anxious about the health of our future child from Russia.
Although you cannot be sure that anything is 100%, by using a good IA doctor, you can really have an idea if your kid runs risk for having FASD, etc. There are certain measurements the doctors look for, eg. head circumference, etc. that will indicate FASD.
Also, when you visit your child you will spend quite a bit of time with him/her. You will get the sense, a "sixth sense" maybe if your child seems to be doing ok or not.
I remember even after our referral passed the IA doctor muster, sitting in JFK airport waiting for our flight wondering "what the hell am I doing going to Russia to find a kid I know nothing about?" When we finally met our baby at the orphanage, we could see that even at 11 mo. she seemed really on the ball. That really allayed our fears tremendously.
Amy K, NJ

[mommyto4]

That is a valid concern to have as you should assume many of these children have been exposed to alcohol most all are at risk, but not all will have FAS. Some of the behavioral signs may not show up until school age. Some are mild FAS and may present as ADHD. This is a risk that you take with International Adoption and a leap of faith, many have adopted children that are now home with no signs of FAS. Severe FAS can often can be seen early on, but mild-moderate FAS sometimes can't. Best wishes on your adoption journey it is not for the faint of heart and like you are doing , it is best to gather all the info you can on the risks and also transition/adjustment issues now so you will be better prepared when your child/children come home.

[angelkisses0102]

Originally Posted by mommyto4

That is a valid concern to have as you should assume many of these children have been exposed to alcohol most all are at risk, but not all will have FAS. Some of the behavioral signs may not show up until school age. Some are mild FAS and may present as ADHD. This is a risk that you take with International Adoption and a leap of faith, many have adopted children that are now home with no signs of FAS. Severe FAS can often can be seen early on, but mild-moderate FAS sometimes can't. Best wishes on your adoption journey it is not for the faint of heart and like you are doing , it is best to gather all the info you can on the risks and also transition/adjustment issues now so you will be better prepared when your child/children come home.

I totally agree with the above poster. Neither of my children, adopted as infants, had any signs of or risk factors of FAS/FAE other than the fact that they we born in Russia and relinquished...which is a fairly large risk factor.

My DD shows no signs of FAS/FAE at this time other than potentially being ADHD...we will never know if alcohol played a role in it if she does end up having it. Her first mom was a low risk...very young, DD was her first pregnancy and birth, and she came from a stable social background.

My DS...we will never know...but my gut says he very well may have been exposed to alcohol in utero. Many of his issues and struggles are common in children who were exposed.

That being said...I wouldn't trade my children for anything in the world...alcohol impacted or not. IA isn't for everyone and adopting from Russia is certainly not for everyone.

All the best!

[pwnort64]

Originally Posted by amyfk

There are certain measurements the doctors look for, eg. head circumference, etc. that will indicate FASD.

This is true, but not the only factor. My son was evaluated by an IA doctor. I also had the priviledge of a 3 minute video that she was able to view. Even though the video had no sound, I was amazed at the things I would never have thought of really looking at for an assessment (how he moved a toy from hand to hand, how he turned his head when a toy was moved behind him, how he pulled himself up on the side of the playpen).

My IA doctor said that based on what she saw, she gave a "low risk" rating, but that was with the caveat that the head circumference measurement I had must be incorrect.

When I arrived to meet my son, the HC was exactly as it had been given to me...not even on the charts for his age. He is small (in the 15th percentile) and his head ... well lets just say he can still wear toddler sized hats at almost 5. However, his head is totally proportionate for the rest of his body.

Yes, I still worry that signs of FAS/FAE will surface as learning disabilities as he enters grade school. Overall, his pedi is unconcerned and writes it off that some people have small heads..not because she isn't aware of potential concerns, but based on an overall assessment of his development.

So all of this long story is just to suggest that while FAS/FAE is a potential in EVERY adoption from Russia, measuring it solely on HC might not be the way to go.

[kizibits]

I knew when I adopted her that my daughter was an FAS child. She had the classic facial features, although they were not all that pronounced. I could also tell, through interaction with her, that she had a beautiful and sweet personality and I took the chance that it would survive.

So far, everything looks good... she is the most charming, sweetest natured child to be around. She does have some neurological issues related to the FAS--mostly sensory integration stuff (hypo, though, which I think is easier to deal with than hyper) and balance. She's incredibly smart--she turns three in July, but can already count to 10 and say her ABC's. She's also displaying really strong reasoning skills. The peds doctor, the neurologist, the psychologist all agree that at this point there is no reason to believe that she can't grow up to be a fully self-sufficient and successful woman.

I'm a lucky one, I know. But sometimes you just have to follow your heart even while your brain is urging caution. My decision was the right one for me and Livi, but wouldn't necessarily be right for anyone else. You have to know your own strengths and skills and know what you can handle. I teach study skills at the college level and have a pretty good understanding of learning disabilities and teaching and learning strategies that I can draw upon to help my daughter succeed.

Jeana

[AngFL]

Like the OP, I am also very anxious about the health/future of our adopted child that we are yet to meet. Our dossier is done and will be on its way to Russia in a couple of weeks for translation (submitted it today to our agency).
We will be traveling on a Blind Referral and are so scared! We've been told great things by adoptive parents which encourages us and then warned by some doctors here (a ped. specialist that sees our bio son) that we must assume we are getting a special needs child. I cried all the way home from that doctor's office.
I know we will go through the struggles of attachment and transition (our age range is 12-18 months...would consider up to 24 months). But we fully intend to adopt a child who will grow up and live a normal fuctioning life. Maybe we are naive. We have no idea what to believe anymore, we are going on faith and a prayer.
We felt led to do this and we waited almost 2 years to persue it.
Hugs and God Bless! I hold on to the hope that all will be okay in the end.

[tbristow]

I think we've all been there. I watched my son's 5-minute referral video at least 5 times before a copy went to the IA. Even though I could tell he was on target, I was looking for the facial signs. We had/have no medical history as he was abandoned at birth. Flash forward 3.5 years from the referral and my son is now past 4 and has know his ABC's since 2 and is learning to read.

You never really know. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Make sure you select a good IA. They can usually rule out the worst cases, but nobody can rule out FAE.

I will say that my almost 22-year-old step-dd (ex's dd) has FAS. She lives on her own and is raising a son. While she's not doing terrific (Mom raised her "in the system"), most of that has nothing to do with FAS. FAS made it more of a struggle for her socially (fitting in) and school than anything else. It is survivable.

[Shark01]

Is an issue for anyone adopting in Russia due to the culture and income level of the birth parents. We are in a situation where 1 adoption physician says our new referral shows FAS visual markers and another one disagrees. We haven't met the child yet but are flying out soon to do so.

[Jessi_76]

AngFL nailed it. That's exactly how we feel. We KNOW the children are at-risk for FAS, however, we believe with all of our hearts that they will grow up to be healthy, normally-functioning adults, and we naively, I suppose, almost expect that. I truly hope we aren't being way too naive. Hopefully when we see the children in person, from more than just one photo, we'll be able to watch for the tell-tale signs and markers of the disease.

[SingleMama2B]

Originally Posted by pwnort64

This is true, but not the only factor. My son was evaluated by an IA doctor. .....while FAS/FAE is a potential in EVERY adoption from Russia, measuring it solely on HC might not be the way to go.

My DD was over 8 y/o when she came home. Her facial and general appearence (all over) does not SCREAM FASE, she actually has Mild FASE (Exposure). She also has a very small head. She is perfectly proportioned to her body though! I have just done her Russian Birth Family search, and both of her parents are/were not tall at all, and small built. So, it is not a good idea to go SOLEY on head circumference, but other areas in combination.

Best wishes for your Journey of the Heart!