# What are the early signs of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in young children?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-in-young-children
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Early signs of FASD include slow growth and small head size, subtle facial features, feeding and sleep difficulties in infancy, and delays in movement, speech, attention and self-regulation. These overlap with many conditions, so they are reasons for a calm developmental check — only a clinician can confirm.

*Every child grows at their own pace — but when feeding, growth and learning all feel harder than expected, a gentle, early look can make all the difference.*

## In short
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of differences in growth, learning and behaviour linked to alcohol exposure before birth. Early signs can include slow growth, feeding and sleep difficulties, subtle facial features, and delays in movement, speech or attention. These signs overlap with many other conditions, so they are reasons to seek a developmental check — not to self-diagnose.

## Early signs worth noticing
**Growth and physical**
- Slower-than-expected growth in height, weight or head size, before and after birth
- Subtle facial features (such as a smooth upper lip or smaller eye openings)
- Difficulty feeding, sucking or settling as a baby

**Development and learning**
- Delays in sitting, crawling, walking or in early speech and babble
- Trouble with attention, sitting still, or shifting between activities as a toddler
- Difficulty with everyday routines, memory or following simple instructions

**Behaviour and senses**
- Irritability or trouble being soothed as an infant; disrupted sleep
- Big reactions to sound, touch, light or change
- Challenges with self-regulation and social play as they grow

## When to seek a check
No single sign confirms FASD, and no child should be labelled from a list. If your child shows several of these patterns — especially alongside any known alcohol exposure in pregnancy — a developmental check is the right, calm next step. Early support for speech, movement, attention and learning helps children build on their strengths, whatever the eventual diagnosis.

## The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our team builds a warm, multi-domain picture of how your child learns, communicates and moves, and shapes a plan around their strengths. Explore [Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder](/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder), our [occupational therapy](/occupational-therapy) support, and [how the AbilityScore® is calculated](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated).

## Trusted sources
Aligned with WHO ICD-11 (LD2F.00), CDC guidance on FASD, and the American Academy of Pediatrics through HealthyChildren.org.

**Next step —** message our clinical team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 to arrange a gentle developmental check for your child.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: https://icd.who.int/
- CDC: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: https://www.cdc.gov/
- AAP HealthyChildren.org: child development: https://www.healthychildren.org/