FASD: Prevention AND Support

There is no safe time, type, or amount of alcohol during pregnancy.  Because the earliest weeks matter most, it’s a good idea to test early and often if you may be pregnant, and choose alcohol-free until you’re sure.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are more common than most people realize, yet they’re rarely discussed. About 1 in 7 pregnancies are exposed to alcohol, and roughly 1 in 20 people meet the criteria for an FASD diagnosis. FASD is sometimes described as “100% preventable.” The reality is more complex. Prevention is important, but it must be part of a broader approach that also emphasizes awareness, understanding, and support for the many people, families, and communities affected.

Some of the reasons FASD is not 100% preventable include ongoing confusion about alcohol use in pregnancy. Medical professionals still offer conflicting messaging and nearly half of pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. The first trimester, including those beginning weeks, is a critical time for development, and by the time a woman may discover she is expecting, alcohol may already be part of the pregnancy story. The fact is, alcohol is poison to a developing baby, and there is no safe time, type, or amount during pregnancy. Unfortunately, if problems arise after birth (medical, behavioral or educational), rarely is alcohol considered as a possible cause. Clear, consistent information is essential, not to induce fear or shame, but to ensure families have the knowledge they need to make informed choices.

Stigma is also a critical issue and too often creates barriers to open dialogue. FASD does not discriminate—it affects families across all races, income levels, and educational backgrounds. People with FASD require understanding, support and respect. While prevention remains crucial, so does fostering a community that listens, stands with families, and addresses their needs. By using langugage like 100% preventable, it creates the illusion that FASD can be elliminated and therefore building support systems is not necessary.

Until there is a unified approach that equally emphasizes both prevention and support, awareness will remain incomplete, and families will continue to face challenges in isolation. Pregnancies exposed to alcohol will not decrease, silence will persist in doctors’ offices and in the community, identification will be missed and mis-diagnosed, and access to FASD-informed care will remain absent. What is needed is a combination of compassion, education, and action—to reduce future impact and ensure that every person and family affected by FASD has the opportunity to thrive.