(038) Sexual Issues Due to Comorbidities in Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is used to describe the range of conditions associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD is characterized by growth deficits, facial dysmorphia and central nervous system abnormalities. When an individual with an FASD remains undiagnosed and proper interventions are not instituted, secondary disabilities are common. Prenatal exposure to alcohol affects the individual’s development, cognition and learning, which results in characteristic ways of thinking and behaving. Deficits can range from mild cognitive deficits such as subtle effects on executive function, memory and adaptive behavior to profound intellectual disability and severe behavioral problems that result from poor self-regulation. Objectives To examine adverse life outcomes regarding sexual behavior in individuals with FASD. Methods A literature search was performed using keywords relating to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, FASD Development, FASD Cognition and FASD Sexual issues. Results Findings showed that one of the strongest correlates of adverse life outcomes including inappropriate sexual behaviors was lack of an early diagnosis. The longer FASD went undiagnosed, the greater the odds of adverse outcomes. One study that examined 415 subjects with FASD of ages ranging from six to fifty-one noted that inappropriate sexual behaviors was the most frequent adverse life outcome increasing with age. Inappropriate sexual behavior was defined by sentencing to a sexual offending treatment program or a persistent pattern of encounters with at least one of these sexual behaviors: obscene phone calls, sex with animals, voyeurism, incest, masturbation in public, compulsions, exposure, promiscuity, sexual advances, and sexual touching. It was concluded that symptoms of FASD may make it challenging to distinguish between inappropriate and appropriate sexual behaviors due to functional and cognitive deficits. For the same reasons, individuals with FASD do not generally improve after standard cognitive behavioral programming for addressing sexually inappropriate behaviors. Conclusions There has been very little empirical research on the role of FASD in inappropriate sexual behavior. In addition, environmental factors associated with prenatal alcohol exposure may play a role in the increased incidence of inappropriate sexual behaviors. One study that examined inappropriate sexual behaviors in individuals with FASD found that almost all the females in the study that exhibited these behaviors had also experienced physical, sexual abuse or violence against themselves. Additionally, half of them had alcohol or drug related issues. Further research into sexual issues related to FASD is required to confirm causality in findings so far. Disclosure No.