FASD is the leading cause of birth defects, developmental and learning disability worldwide
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) affects an estimated 2 to 4% of the Australian population, making it more common than autism or cerebral palsy (May et al., 2018). It is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), a teratogen that crosses the placenta and can disrupt fetal brain development and impair physical, behavioural, and cognitive functioning (Bower & Elliott, 2016; Fitzpatrick & Pestell, 2017). Despite being the most common preventable non-genetic developmental disability Australia and the western world, FASD remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood across health, education, and justice systems.
Core Public Health Message
Not drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the safest option. There is no known safe amount or safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy (NHMRC, 2020).
Language Matters: Media Guidance on Talking About FASD
To support respectful and accurate media reporting:
- Use “individuals with FASD” or “people living with FASD” rather than labels like “FASD kids” or “suffering from FASD.”
- Avoid describing people as “victims,” “damaged,” or “afflicted.”
- Refer to “prenatal alcohol exposure” rather than “maternal drinking” or “maternal alcohol use.”
- Use “reported alcohol use” instead of “admitted use.”
- Avoid judgmental terms such as “alcoholic mothers,” “irresponsible,” or “bad choices.”
- Emphasise strengths alongside challenges and neurodevelopmental impacts rather than outdated diagnostic labels.
- When referring to prevention, use the term “preventing prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)” rather than “preventing FASD,” in line with the preferences of people with lived experience.
Refer to the FASD Hub Australia Language Guide for further recommendations.
Key Facts for Journalists and Media Professionals
- The estimated prevalence of FASD in Australia is between 2% and 4%, making it more common than conditions such as autism or cerebral palsy (May et al., 2018).
- FASD can result in a range of neurodevelopmental impacts, including cognitive, behavioural, and physical differences (Bower & Elliott, 2016; NHMRC, 2020).
- It is estimated that 1 in every 13 pregnancies exposed to alcohol results in a child with FASD (Lange et al., 2017).
- Data from the 2022–2023 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) shows:
- 28% of women who were pregnant in the previous 12 months reported consuming alcohol (AIHW, 2024).
- 64% drank before pregnancy awareness (AIHW, 2024).
- 15% continued drinking after pregnancy recognition (AIHW, 2024).
- Not drinking alcohol during pregnancy is the safest option. There is no known safe amount or time to consume alcohol during pregnancy (NHMRC, 2020).
- Alcohol-related harm extends to paternal exposure, with evidence linking male alcohol consumption to impaired sperm quality and adverse developmental outcomes in offspring (Anderson et al., 2020). While paternal alcohol use is not proven to be a direct cause of FASD, these findings highlight the importance of advocating for alcohol abstinence by both prospective parents when planning a pregnancy.
Why Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Is a Hidden Disability
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is often referred to as a hidden disability because most individuals living with FASD do not have outward physical features that visibly indicate the condition. In fact, approximately 83% of individuals with FASD do not display the sentinel facial features traditionally associated with the diagnosis (May et al., 2018). This makes identification particularly challenging, as the condition is often misunderstood or overlooked.
Instead, people with FASD commonly experience a wide range of neurodevelopmental impacts that may affect their everyday functioning. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Working memory difficulties, which can affect following instructions or recalling information over time
- Slower cognitive processing speed, impacting their ability to respond in conversations or manage tasks under time pressure
- Emotional regulation challenges, such as heightened frustration or difficulty calming after distress
- Difficulty interpreting social cues, which may affect relationship building and interactions
- Language and communication challenges, including understanding nuance, sarcasm, or multiple-step instructions
- Problems with planning, organisation and problem-solving—collectively referred to as executive functioning deficits (FASD Hub Australia Language Guide, 2019; National FASD Strategic Action Plan, 2018).
Because these impacts are not always immediately observable, and because of limited awareness and training among professionals, many individuals receive a delayed diagnosis, or none at all. This can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention and appropriate support (Kerimofski et al., 2025).
Challenges in FASD Diagnosis and Support in Australia
There is a lack of diagnostic capacity and FASD-informed clinicians across the country. Many psychologists lack training in identifying PAE and applying FASD criteria (Kerimofski et al., 2025). Individuals and families also face stigma, limited referral pathways, and a fragmented system of support (Australian Government, 2024).
Further, the 2025 study by Ritter et al. found that only 30–48% of Australians with substance use disorders who seek treatment receive it. This highlights a broader failure in addressing alcohol-related harm, including preventing prenatal alcohol exposure (Ritter & O’Reilly, 2025).
The Impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder on Australian Society
Australia does not yet have a formal national prevalence study; however, the estimated prevalence of FASD in the general population is between 2% and 4% (May et al., 2018). This estimate places FASD as more common than better-known conditions such as autism or cerebral palsy, underscoring the scale of the issue and the need for widespread awareness and early identification.
A landmark Australian study found that 36% of youth in the Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Western Australia met diagnostic criteria for FASD. This finding underscores the urgent need for early diagnosis and support to prevent the criminalisation of individuals with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disabilities (Bower et al., 2018).
FASD does not discriminate, it affects individuals in all communities where alcohol is consumed. However, higher rates can be found in:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Children in out-of-home care
- People involved in the child protection and justice systems (National FASD Strategic Action Plan, 2018; Australian Government, 2024)
The Australian Government’s Response to the 2024 Senate Inquiry and the National FASD Strategic Action Plan 2018–2028 both recognise the urgent need to:
- Expand prevention messaging
- Improve prenatal alcohol data collection
- Increase diagnosis and support services
Reduce stigma and misinformation
Resources
Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD
National Health and Medical Research Council – Alcohol and Pregnancy Information
FASD Language Guide – This guide is intended to provide suggested language for use in conversations, presentations and reports about FASD in Australia
The Australian Medical Association Position Statement of FASD
Contacts and Links
NOFASD Australia is dedicated to reducing the harm caused by alcohol-exposed pregnancies and improving lives for those living with FASD.
For media enquiries or expert commentary, please contact us by phone or email. If your enquiry is time sensitive, please phone us to ensure that we can respond and assist you within your deadline.
NOFASD’s CEO, Sophie Harrington, is available for interview by prior arrangement. NOFASD can also assist in connecting you with other interviewees who can comment on aspects of FASD, including individuals with lived experience of this condition and clinicians.
CEO – Sophie Harrington
References
- AIHW. (2024). Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au
- Anderson et al. (2020). Paternal preconception alcohol use and fetal outcomes: A review. J Perinatol, 40, 1372–1379.
- Australian Government. (2024). Response to the FASD Senate Inquiry.
- Bower & Elliott. (2016). Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.
- Bower et al. (2018). FASD prevalence in WA youth detention. BMJ Open, 8(2).
- FASD Hub Australia. (2019). Language Guide. https://www.fasdhub.org.au/fasd-information/language-guide/
- Kerimofski et al. (2025). FASD identification in Australia. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 49(4).
- Lange et al. (2017). Global FASD prevalence: Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 171(10), 948–956.
- May, P. A., Chambers, C. D., Kalberg, W. O., et al. (2018). Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Among US Children. JAMA, 319(5), 474–482. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.21896
- National FASD Strategic Action Plan 2018–2028. Australian Government Department of Health.
- NHMRC. (2020). Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol.
- Ritter & O’Reilly (2025). Unmet treatment need in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev, 44, 772–782.
- Tan et al. (2025). Suicidality and FASD in WA children. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 49(3)