Four statements about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are given below. Identify which statement is true.

• A. FASD can cause a range of intellectual difficulties, including mild to severe learning disabilities.
• B. FASD affects about 10% of school aged children in the US.
• C. Diagnosis of FASD requires the presence of physical abnormalities.
• D. With early intervention, the harm from FASD can be reversed in developing infants.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is. FASD is a group of conditions that occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, leading to brain damage and growth problems.
2. Step 2: Review the key characteristics of FASD, which include intellectual difficulties such as learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and sometimes physical abnormalities, but not all individuals show physical signs.
3. Step 3: Evaluate the prevalence statement. Research shows that FASD affects a smaller percentage of the population than 10%, so this statement is likely false.
4. Step 4: Consider the diagnostic criteria. Diagnosis of FASD does not always require physical abnormalities; cognitive and behavioral assessments are also important, so the statement about diagnosis requiring physical abnormalities is incorrect.
5. Step 5: Assess the possibility of reversing harm. While early intervention can improve outcomes, the damage caused by FASD is permanent and cannot be fully reversed, making the statement about reversal false.