Top Tips 

• Start early 
  It’s never too early to start talking to your child about FASD. Sometimes children and young people are aware that their brain works differently from those of others. Introducing the idea that we all think differently and we all have strengths and challenges will help your child understand that they are unique and can achieve amazing things! 
  
  
• Be positive  
  Children pick up on the attitudes and values of those who care for them. By being positive about your children’s FASD diagnosis or experience of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, children will mirror your positivity and recognise that FASD may make their brain work differently, and may lead to some challenges, but that they are unique, valuable and active participants in the world.  
  
  
• Recognise strengths 
  Everyone has strengths, and this is very much true for individuals with FASD/PAE. Help your child identify their strength and support them to develop it further. Maybe they are great at sports, or caring towards animals. Whatever their strength is, identify, support and encourage its growth. 
   
• Avoid Stigma 
  Whether you are an adoptive parent, biological parent, foster or kinship carer, it is important to avoid using language that may create stigma around the circumstances of the presence of FASD/PAE. Remember it is the alcohol that has caused the brain differences in individuals with FASD/PAE, not the actions of an individual.  
  
  
• Join a community 
  It’s important that children, young people and adults feel apart of a community and know that they are not alone – others think differently too. Look out for local support group, online communities and events where families can come together and meet others who have a shared experience.  
  
  

There are a number of online resources that may help you explain FASD to your child.  

• FASD Think Differently Animation
  This new resource from FASD Hub Scotland introduces us to Charlie, who takes us through some of the challenges they face and what helps them have a successful day. Ideal for children age 8-13, but great for all ages and to share with others to raise awareness of FASD.  
  
  
• Me and My FASD
  This website contains resources including comics, booklets and a selection of activities to help children understand how their brain works differently. There are also games and resources available for purchase, including the ‘Break it Down Board’ - a useful tool for having conversations with children about their responses to situations. 
  
  
• This is Me 
  This interactive animated website contains a selection of short animations featuring the character ‘Me’ discovering some of the strengths and challenges in having a brain that thinks differently.