Towards Healthy Outcomes for Individuals with FASD

All human beings are motivated by the desire to live with purpose and succeed. It’s not enough to simply ‘get by’ in life; we must feel as though we’re meeting expectations set by ourselves and others. People of all abilities need to feel they have a purpose and can contribute to society. However, the path to these experiences may be unique, especially for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), where the nature of the disability can vary. Finding this path can be even more difficult due to a lack of understanding.

Social work and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Close up of an open book with a hand holding it open

Given the prevalence, severity and impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) on individuals and communities, there should be better social work knowledge and understanding of, as well as support for, these disorders. Social workers can play a more positive role in the prevention and identification of FASD, as well as in services supporting those affected by it. Increased awareness and learning opportunities, and more encouragement and resources are necessary for social workers to fulfil their potential in this field.

The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Research on the prevalence of FASD is critical for understanding the scale of the disability in our communities and for identifying opportunities for supporting healthy pregnancies. This research can inform decisions about allocating resources and services to support healthy families, and aid in monitoring the effectiveness of prevention efforts.

Start Holiday Planning *NOW*!

Close up of a calendar with Holiday marked in red

In this episode, Nate Sheet talks about how we can practically prepare for the holidays for all kinds of children and adults, both with and without developmental disabilities.