Recognizing that learners with FASD can be highly intelligent yet still need supports to be successful is something that every teacher should be aware of. Many teachers tell me that they have never taught a student with FASD, which scientifically we know isn’t the case due to prevalence rates, they just haven’t taught one who has been diagnosed with FASD.

The CDC states a prevalence rate of 1 in 20 people, that means there is at least one, usually unrecognized and under-supported, student with FASD in every classroom across America - not something that was ever brought up in my studies to become a special educator.

When FASD isn’t appropriately accommodated in the classroom, it can look like bad behavior, laziness or willful defiance - it’s not, it’s the cry of a student who wants to do well but can’t because they don’t have the tools or resources they need to learn. FASD Impacts Schools and FASD Impacts Me

Our son, age 18, has FASD. We hope that FASD Project will spread awareness of this relatively common developmental disability, particularly amongst medical providers, educators, law enforcement and the justice system.

Eight years ago these three enriched and changed my life. Little did I know that I would be embarking on a journey to learn and understand an invisible disability called FASD. FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This means that the brain and other parts of a developing fetus have been damaged permanently by alcohol before they were even born. The effects can be mild to severe and include difficulty with math, social skills, emotional regulation, reading and writing as well as dysmaturity (typically being half their biological age) My beautiful three have Static Encephalopathy which means they have permanent damage to their brains. Everyday brings new challenges as we master old ones and relearn past ones. Having children with FASD affects the entire family as we navigate this disorder and provide supports and modifications to build successful growth. It is not an easy journey and the need for society to be informed is critical- from teachers to doctors to the prison system. Our children did not choose this path but desperately need your help and understanding. Please join the movement.

My husband and I are the parents of two amazing kids. Our son, now 18, has an FASD and he was not officially diagnosed until 3 1/2 years ago. There were very few resources for our son and very few professionals who even knew about FASD. Not only are my husband and I parent advocates for our son, but we started our podcast and website to give other families HOPE and to share the journeys to those in the FASD community. The time is NOW to start talking and start the change to increase awareness, resources and support for those who live with FASD (and their families and loved ones). Let’s use our voices for change and to listen to what is being said by those in the FASD community!

FASD impacts me because every single day I struggle with my speech to learning! I do things where I don’t know why and regret it! I struggle with health problems and with learning and understanding certain things! Things have to be taught to me slow. Sometimes I struggle with self esteem and calming myself down from things.

FASD has impacted me by driving my career as a scientist, studying the harm alcohol has on the developing brain. FASD intersects everything in science because of the wide spread harm of alcohol on a fetal brain and body. Studying FASD has made me a more compassionate human, scientist, and mother of two and sparked a deep passion for advocating for women and their developing fetus to experience their optimal health outcomes. My hope for this film and movement is that together we can prevent FASD and mitigate the harm alcohol has on people.

FASD impacted me early in life growing up with a family member who had an FASD. Being able to witness my wife's journey in researching FASD, and ultimately having the honor of filming The FASD Project, I have been forever changed, humbled, and inspired by the FASD community as whole. FASD impacts us all more than we know, and I am thankful for how it has impacted me on so many levels. Ultimately its impact on me has made me a better person all around.

Before I started this journey with Justin as the crew of two, I was not aware of FASD. This trip to film The FASD Project has changed my perspective on everything, particularly about how common FASD is.

I’m the mom of two adults with FASD. Many of my smiles over the years have belied the heartbreak that I felt when they were younger and that continues today because their permanent disabilities are still not widely validated and understood by medical experts, therapists, addiction counselors, law enforcement and representatives of supported housing.

As a father to individuals with FASD, I struggle with the lack of connection to other families like mine. Reducing the stigma and shame around FASD would allow for sharing of knowledge and parenting strategies for parents like me.

I am an amazing artist with a kind heart. FASD makes school hard sometimes because I get really confused about directions and people talk too much and too fast.