The FASD Trust

About us:

The FASD Trust was started in January 2007 in response to the growing number of requests for information being received by the adoptive parents of a child diagnosed as having FASD (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders).

Aims and Aspirations

The FASD Trust exists as a charity to raise awareness of FASD thereby;

Improving the understanding of those with FASD and;
Increasing the support that those with FASD and their families / carers receive, not just from statutory bodies, but from the wider community.
Preventing others being born with FASD.

It aims to do this by:

Running support groups for those affected by FASD and their parents / carers / wider family.
Providing a variety of resources to support families affected.
Hosting professional forums (Medical & Healthcare; Social Work; Education) and local Professional Special Interest Groups.
Informing local and national decision makers to ensure provision for those with FASD.
Collaborating with others.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

FASD, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is an umbrella term for several diagnoses that are all related to prenatal exposure to alcohol (i.e. while a baby is still in the womb)

These are:

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, FAS
Partial Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, PFAS
Alcohol Related Neuro-developmental Disorder, ARND
Alcohol Related Birth Defects, ARBD
Foetal Alcohol Effects, FAE

Mental and Physical Challenges

FASD is a series of preventable birth defects caused entirely by a woman drinking alcohol at any time during her pregnancy, often even before she knows that she is pregnant. Beer, wine, spirits - it's all the same to the developing baby.

The term "Spectrum" is used because each individual with FASD may have some or all of a spectrum of mental and physical challenges. In addition each individual with FASD may have these challenges to a degree or "spectrum" from mild to very severe.

Common problems include:

Vision impairment
Sleep problems
Heart defects
Liver problems
Poor immune system
Speech & language delays
Impulsivity
Memory problems
Hyperactivity
Inappropriate social behaviour

These defects of both the brain and the body exist only because of prenatal exposure to alcohol. Often the condition goes undiagnosed, or is misdiagnosed, for example as Autism or ADHD, and this can lead to secondary disabilities.