Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
A lifelong condition caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy — and a reason alcohol support during pregnancy matters so much.
What it is
FASD describes a range of lifelong physical, behavioural, and learning effects that can result from alcohol exposure before birth. It affects everyone differently, and many people with FASD are never formally diagnosed, which can make their challenges harder to get the right support for.
Good to know
There is no known safe amount or safe time to drink during pregnancy, but a parent learning this after already drinking during pregnancy should not be met with blame — shame doesn't change outcomes, and support during and after pregnancy does.
What helps
For someone living with FASD, support structured around their specific strengths and challenges (rather than generic approaches) makes a significant difference, often involving a mix of educational, behavioural, and family support. For pregnant people, the most effective support is judgment-free access to alcohol use counselling and prenatal care.
When to seek help
If you're pregnant and finding it hard to stop drinking, reach out to a doctor or the Recovery Centre directly — this is treated as a health priority, not a judgment call. If you suspect a child may have FASD, raise it with their doctor for assessment.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you're in crisis, go to Get Help Now instead of reading further.