A SUBMISSION TO THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO VIOLENCE, ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
NOFASD Australia – 2 February 2021
Suggested Citation:
NOFASD Australia (2021). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Issues
Review Report: A Submission to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
https://www.nofasd.org.au/fasd-news
ISBN: 978-0-6488721-4-6
___
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Hidden Disability
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a lifelong disability. Individuals with FASD will experience some degree of challenges in their daily living, and may need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach their full potential. Each individual with FASD is unique and has areas of both strengths and challenges.
FASD is a condition that is an outcome of parents either not being aware of the dangers of alcohol use when pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or not being supported to stay healthy and strong during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause damage to the unborn child at any time during pregnancy, even before a pregnancy has been confirmed. The level of harm is dependent on a wide range of factors, making it impossible to predict the outcome of alcohol exposure to any individual pregnancy. Factors include the amount and frequency of alcohol use, parent age, health of the mother (including nutrition, tobacco and other drugs and mental health) and environmental factors such as stress.
NOFASD Australia
NOFASD Australia is the national peak body for parents, carers and individuals impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Founded by volunteers in 1999 and now funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, NOFASD provides the essential bridge linking those with lived experience with researchers and clinicians. Our mission is to be a strong and effective voice for individuals and families living with FASD, while supporting initiatives across Australia to promote prevention, diagnosis, intervention and management.
NOFASD Australia operates a helpline for people impacted by FASD. Helpline staff provide information, advice, referrals and support to individuals with FASD and their families. NOFASD maintains an up-to-date comprehensive website with curated resources and shares valuable information to almost 6,000 followers on NOFASD’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn).
This report provides an overview of how individuals with FASD are impacted by areas of concern raised in The Royal Commission (RC) Issues Papers published between 2019-2020. Included in this report are summaries of empirical research and anecdotal evidence in the form of personal submissions.