September is the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) month of awareness, and 9 September is the international day for FASD. Every September, we share information and advice about FASD on our social media and ask people to share it with their networks so that more people become aware of it. FASD can occur when a fetus is exposed to alcohol prenatally. It is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that can affect any and all areas of development.
Here in the south west, we work with FASD HUB South West to support adoptive families whose child has a FASD condition. FASD HUB South West has been founded by families for families, offering friendship, advice and support.
Ahead of FASD Awareness Month, we’re sharing two announcements from FASD HUB South West. One is the launch of a new tool that was trialled here in the South West, and the other is a discounted offer on an event focussing on preparing for the transition to adulthood.
FASD Informed card trialled in the south west to launch
FASD Informed have developed some cards designed for when you need to get help quickly but are unable to use words because your child is in a meltdown or where you are struggling to find co-regulation. The wallet size cards provide bitesize information about how to scaffold and support FASD, and can be given to new teachers, dentists, doctors, health visitors, social workers, police etc.
The cards have been trialled throughout the South West, with parents and professionals supporting children with FASD using them during appointments and meetings. The feedback has been positive, suggesting the cards help with language and pace of conversations as well as support for the sensory needs.
One parent going to the dentist with their very nervous child said it completely changed the whole experience:
“The dentist dimmed the lights, slowed his conversation down and showed everything he was going to do first… in the end my son was laughing, and he wants to go back again!”
The success of these cards has been extended to other neurodiverse conditions, and for children who have suffered trauma who may be triggered by certain things and where they need reasonable adjustments made. The FASD Informed website will be launching the empowering cards in September.
Here’s a sneak peek at one of the cards designed as an ‘FASD Information Card’!
FASD events this autumn
FASD is a condition that can present through lots of different symptoms. Different aspects of a fetus develop at different points throughout pregnancy which means prenatal alcohol exposure can affect the development of different physical, emotional, behavioural, and neurological functions. To support families with the challenges of overlapping needs, FASD Informed or FASD HUB South West are hosting several events this autumn.
This year, our free Adopt South West Annual Conference on 8 October will be exploring how to support all adopted children transition to adulthood and access to record. FASD HUB South West are complementing this with their own online evening discussion with Velma Ayres about FASD, the law and three things you need to know about transitioning to adulthood. Visit the FASD HUB South West listing for more information about their evening event. FASD HUB South West are offering a reduced price for Adopt South West parents who want to attend this event. Please email fasdsouthwest@gmail.com to take up this offer.
Other FASD online events this autumn include:
- Helping Your Autistic Teen with Anxiety with Clinical Psychologist Dr Naomi Fisher
- Ask an Expert with Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Cassie Jackson and Dr Neil Jackson FASD Lead Paediatrician
- An evening with Professor Raja Mukherjee MBE, Consultant Psychiatrist
- a book launch with Clinical Psychologist Dr Naomi Fisher and Autism consultant Eliza Fricker.
You can explore all the events on the FASD Informed events page.
Throughout September, please keep an eye on the Adopt South West Facebook page for more information about FASD that you can also share with families and friends.