FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) is a brain-based, lifelong condition caused by exposure to alcohol before birth. It is one of the most common — and most missed — causes of neurodevelopmental difficulty in the UK.
Key things to know
- FASD is not the parent''s fault in the way it is often portrayed. Many people drink before they know they''re pregnant. Many children with FASD are adopted or in kinship care.
- The brain is affected — children may look "fine" but struggle with memory, planning, impulse control, social understanding and emotional regulation.
- It''s a spectrum — some children have severe difficulties, others mild.
- The earlier the diagnosis and support, the better the outcomes.
How it can show up
- Memory difficulties (can do something one day, not the next)
- Trouble with cause and effect
- Difficulty with money, time and planning
- Sensory issues
- Easily overwhelmed by transitions
- Often a younger "developmental age" than chronological age (sometimes by half)
Getting a diagnosis
- referral to a paediatrician or specialist FASD clinic
- Detailed history (often hard if the child is adopted)
- Cognitive and developmental assessments
- NICE published a quality standard for FASD in 2022
Support
- National FASD (nationalfasd.org.uk)
- FASD UK Alliance
- Adoption UK (many adoptive families navigate FASD)
Source: NICE QS204 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, National FASD.