explore | Grilled Cheese

Education & awareness help create a more inclusive society for people with FASD.

Greater understanding helps us recognize strengths, encourage support & help every learner thrive.

bit.ly/FASDAM2026

#FASDNPN #FASDAM2026 #FASDAnd #FASD2026 #FASD #FASDEducation

NOFASD’s CEO, Sophie Harrington, made several presentations at the EUFASD Conference in Amiens, France earlier this week. Her presentation at a plenary session attracted a large attendance and there was also much interest in the poster presentation about a NOFASD project. #FASD

Every action counts.

Learning, listening, sharing resources & creating supportive spaces can help build greater FASD awareness, understanding & acceptance.

Show up & keep the conversation going: bit.ly/FASDAM2026

#FASDAM2026 #FASDNPN #FASDAnd #FASD2026 #FASD

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) are a group of diagnosable medical conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth. Effects are lifelong and can include mental health conditions, learning disabilities, and physical manifestations. #emory #fasd #msacd

📣 Updated Resource!

Our What Everyone Should Know About FASD fact sheet now includes new information on co-occurring conditions and a revised strengths-based description of FASD.

Download it today: fasdunited.org/fact-sheets/

#FASD #FASDFacts #PublicHealth #DisabilityAwareness

"Rapa das bestas" photo: Oscar Pallas #NwnPhoto photographers with #disability #inclusion #Downsyndrome #intellectualdisabilities #FASD #photography

Q. Where were the patients diagnosed?
A. A mix - some in the community, some in the National Centre in Surrey

#FASD #BACCH @nationalfasd.bsky.social @salfordfasd.bsky.social @commchildhealth.bsky.social

Themes (5)

Community support and solidarity was important

Unique strengths were highlighted

Cautious optimism about research in UK @salfordfasd.bsky.social #FASD #bacch @commchildhealth.bsky.social @nationalfasd.bsky.social

Themes (4)

Repeated contact with police/criminal justice system in older youths

Concern from parents of younger children about their vulnerability

Good professional knowledge was helpful

Poor professional knowledge was not!

#FASD #BACCH

Themes (3)

Dissatisfaction with education response (as IQ OK but adaptive function poor)

Systemic barriers to a lack of support

School failure/lack of alternative provision

#FASD #BACCH

Themes (2)

Diagnosis could be empowering and reassuring for carers and children

Some felt diagnosis made no impact due to lack of change following diagnosis

Overlooked physical complications

Struggles in adulthood

#FASD #BACCH

Themes

Diagnostic pathway
"A really long, tortuous journey"
"We kept going round in circles"

Variability in Prenatal Alcohol Exposure history
Stigma surrounding diagnosis

#FASD #BACCH

Next: Hilina Getnet talking about Children antenatally exposed to alcohol and conversations with stakeholders

What do familied at the forefront of FASD think about its current state?

15 parent/carer interviews were done

#FASD #BACCH

Next: Dr Sarah Gough and Anna Wallace: Reducing Poverty for families attending Community Paediatric Clinics (in Sheffield)

Poverty is a risk factor for negative health and developmental outcomes

Is is COMMON (10% for this team)

We get more referrals from this group

#BACCH #FASD

Q. How much engagement have you had from the criminal justice system in the UK
A. There has been some level of engagement. There is education for police, judges and intermediaries, as well as to probation services

#FASD #BACCH @commchildhealth.bsky.social

All this has impact on the justice system and criminality

This puts an onus on paediatricians to make the link between alcohol exposure and potential FASD to protect these individuals

A very good talk.

@commchildhealth.bsky.social #FASD #BACCH

Alcohol is unique

It has the most damaging, widespread effect on a foetus

But it is usually the only drug which, if you are not consuming it, people will want to know why NOT, and suggest you SHOULD

#FASD #BACCH

There are cases of confabulation where individuals with have admitted to serious crimes (including murder) due to confabulation, and been convicted

They have been overturned only as other people have had to prove they could not have committed the crimes

#FASD #BACCH