Lunch & Learn: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Thursday, Aug. 15 (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Marion County Sheriff's Office Jail Administration Building, 3300 NW 10th St., Ocala FL 34475

Presenter: Tamra Cajo LCSW
Organization: The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Marion County Children’s Alliance & Community Council Against Substance Abuse
Summary: The healthy development of young children is important to everyone. However, many do not consider that healthy development begins in the womb. Each year, thousands of babies are born with some level of prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol is considered a teratogen which, by definition, is anything that will cause a birth defect when ingested. Prenatal alcohol exposure can affect areas of development such as growth, facial features, fine motor, sensory motor, speech language, learning, cognition, memory, and adaptive functioning. Early identification and intervention is the best ways to ensure the best possible outcome for these children.