Early Intervention through Special Education for Drug Exposed Children - Assignment Example

The book can be used by those who are interested in long explanations about the drugs that they are using, or by medical professionals who need the same types of information. The book contains information on the effects of epilepsy medication on fetal growth during pregnancy. The effect that epilepsy medication specifically is addressed with the conclusion being reached indicating that children who are exposed to carbamazepine had no significant decrease in intelligence, but those exposed to valproic acid saw a marked decline in IQ measurement.

This book used a large list of contributing authors who had medical degrees and worked at prestigious universities.Use: When examining the use of drugs on fetal development in relationship to chronic conditions in the mother, an example can be used in the case of epilepsy. Mothers who took medication that included carbamazepine in their antiepileptics saw now declined in average IQ for their children, but those taking valproic acid-based drugs to control their epileptic seizures were found to have children who had an observable difference in the IQ of their children in comparison to others (Aronsono, 2012, p. 93).This outline on the effects of FASD, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, provides a basic construction of the various issues that can arise through the use of alcohol during pregnancy.

Among the problems listed for children whose mothers use alcohol are poor coordination, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, intellectual disabilities, and poor reasoning and judgment skills. Although public myths support the idea that a glass of wine per day or a single beer will not affect the fetus, there is no known amount permissible that will not affect the fetus. If the mother drinks, the fetus is also experiencing the effects of alcohol. The CDC is the Center for Disease Control in the United States which releases a great deal of quality information to the public about health issues.

The CDC is the “Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations” (The Center for Disease Control, 2013).