Kathy Mitchell wants to share something with you. She's
not proud of it, and it's not a behavior she hopes you'll
emulate. It's just the truth: As a teen, Kathy drank alcohol
while pregnant with her daughter, Karli. It was a perilous
if unwitting mistake that has defined both of their lives.
Karli is now 43 but is the developmental age of a first-
grader. In the home she shares with her mother and
stepfather, she collects dolls and purses, and pores over
Hello Kitty coloring and sticker books. Karli has fetal
alcohol syndrome, the result of alcohol exposure in utero.
In middle age, Karli has none of the awareness, self-
determination and independence that most of us take for
granted. She can't recognize social cues, is easily led and
manipulated, and can't predict dangerous behaviors. She
can only follow one rule at a time and doesn't understand
sequence. She can cross a street at a lighted crosswalk,
but if the light is out, she'll step in front of a car. She likes
to wear pretty clothes but she can't remember to brush
What can you infer are the possible effects of fetal
alcohol syndrome?
Children can develop learning and behavioral
problems.
Children are more likely to imitate their parents'
behavior.
Children will take their independence for granted.
Children can better predict dangerous behaviors
and follow complex directions.