FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. It is the result of an alcohol exposed pregnancy that affects the developing brain and body of an individual before they were born. FASD is a lifelong, neurodevelopmental condition, often referred to as a hidden disability.

FASD is a spectrum and each person with FASD is affected differently. Each person with FASD has both strengths and challenges, they and their families need support to learn FASD-informed strategies to help them prosper. When an early diagnosis is made, the right supports are put in place in education, at home and in the workplace, then individuals can succeed and achieve throughout life

With early diagnosis, positive relationships and the right supports, individuals can be successful and achieve positive outcomes.  As a social worker you have an important role to play in ensuring individuals and families receive the right support, at the right time in the right way.  

FASD Hub Scotland can support you in doing this. We can provide FASD awareness training social work team and the families you are directly care for and supporting. We run a regular programme of training, check out our training pages for more details. On our FASD Factsheets pages you will find easy to access information which is free to download and share with colleagues or families.

Our FASD animation FASD Makes Me, Me is a great way to share the facts about FASD in an easy to understand and friendly way for both children and young people and adults alike. 

If you are working with a family who you think could benefit from our 1:1 Family Service please contact us via our FASD Helpline, open Tuesday-Friday, 10am to 2.30pm by calling 0300 666 0006 (select option 2).  

Key facts to know about FASD 

• FASD is a condition that may occur when a foetus is exposed to alcohol prenatally. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) can occur at any point during the pregnancy, including before the pregnancy is detected. Alcohol is included within the group of substances called teratogens, or poisons, meaning that it is a substance that can cross to the developing foetus and cause harm at any stage of pregnancy. 
  
  
• FASD is the most common known cause of neurodevelopment disability and birth defect in the western world. Within the general population the prevalence of FASD is around 3-5%, meaning that up to 1 in 20 people in Scotland could have FASD. In comparison Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is thought to affect 1 in 94. Some groups are, however, disproportionally affected by FASD including the care-experience community. 
  
  
• FASD is a ‘hidden disability’, meaning that you cannot tell by looking at someone whether they have the condition. Around 10% of individuals have specific facial features that are indicative of PAE, these are a thin upper lip, smooth philtrum, and narrow eye opening.  The remainder of individuals with a history of PAE do not have these features, which has historically brought challenges for the individual and their families in terms of professionals recognising the impact of PAE.   

If you would like to understand more about FASD please visit the other areas of our website or get in touch with our team by emailing [email protected]. We are happy to talk about ways we can work together to raise awareness, reduce stigma and remove stigma, and create brighter better futures for everyone.