Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Toolkit

9th September is International FASD Awareness Day

On 9th September each year, communities around the world take time to think about spending the nine months of pregnancy free from alcohol. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the leading known preventable cause of learning disability worldwide. Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy and when contemplating pregnancy is the only way to be sure that the baby will not be affected by FASD.

Affected children can have a wide range of physical, growth and neurobehavioural problems which impact on their everyday lives and limit their independence.

This toolkit promotes the following key messages:

• FASD is preventable.
• If you want to be sure that your baby is protected from FASD, avoid alcohol for the duration of your pregnancy.
• There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant. The Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Sir Harry Burns, gives the clear message that 'during pregnancy or when trying to conceive, no alcohol means no risk of FASD'.
• Everyone has a role to play in supporting pregnant women to avoid alcohol.

What's Inside

Inside this toolkit, you will find information and tools to help you raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

The term FASD refers to the range of permanent and irreversible birth defects caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most readily recognisable presentation of FASD.

FASD is expensive to diagnose and manage. Affected individuals are unlikely to attain their full potential and will require additional services to help them with everyday life.