Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is a lifelong disability. Individuals with FASD may experience challenges in their daily living, and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, emotional regulation, and social skills. Each individual with FASD is unique and has areas of both strengths and challenges.
Building a skilled and supported workforce
We all have a role to play in supporting healthy pregnancies and working alongside people with FASD to experience quality of life.
It's essential that all professionals, agencies, services and communities work together to support people with FASD and their whānau.
The ongoing development of a skilled and supported workforce is essential to achieve this.
Resources available now
Te Pou has developed a range of resources to support frontline professionals to recognise and respond to FASD.
We hope these resources contribute to more consistent and collaborative partnerships in local communities, and better outcomes for people with FASD and their whānau.
FASD: Essential Strategies, a resource for frontline professionals
This resource equips frontline health professionals to recognise and respond appropriately and compassionately to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other neurodevelopmental impairments.
An introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - free e-learning course
This an introductory course for frontline professionals to better recognise and respond compassionately to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It's designed to support the development of essential skills required for a range of professionals from across the community to build a shared understanding of FASD and how to respond effectively. It's hopeful this will better enable professionals to work together across services, disciplines and sectors to take a consistent approach towards contributing to positive outcomes for people with FASD and whānau.
With thanks
We would like to acknowledge the people with FASD, whānau members and professionals who contributed to the co-design process in developing these learning resources and for generously sharing their experiences and expertise.
