Author: Andy Kachor
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Advocacy Alert – Your FASD Living Experience is Needed for a Report to Congress
Major Advocacy Alert: An agency of the Federal Government (the Government Accountability Office or GAO) wants to hear how your disability affects your health care. Responses to a short survey will inform a report to Congress. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE. This is a huge opportunity for the FASD community to have our voices heard. Imagine…
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New Affiliate Alert – CAMP: A FASD Community
We are so excited to announce the newest addition to the FASD United Affiliate Network: CAMP: A FASD Community! Located in Illinois, CAMP: A FASD Community is dedicated to providing children and adolescents aged 9-18 diagnosed with or suspected to have an FASD a positive and safe space to grow. At FASD United, our mission…
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FASD United and NIAAA Collaborate on Webinar Series
We are excited to announce that FASD United and NIAAA (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) are teaming up for a series of three informative and insightful webinars. Registration is free and open to all, simply click below to register on Zoom. Leading experts from NIAAA will discuss the latest medical research and public…
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Educating Professionals During Invisible Disabilities Week
Written by Laura Bousquet, a parent, self-advocate, and part of the FASD United team As a caregiver of someone impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), I’ve learned firsthand how important it is to approach professionals with empathy and understanding when raising awareness about this invisible disability. FASD is often misunderstood, or worse, completely overlooked,…
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FASD United Launches Research Bank Highlighting Key FASD Research
FASD United is excited to announce the launch of a new resource to quickly and easily find key pieces of research in the FASD field: the FASD United Research Bank! What is the Research Bank? The Research Bank is a comprehensive database of the leading research in the areas of FASD and prenatal alcohol…
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Article Published on the State of FASD Care Across the Military Health System
We are excited to share the news that an article was published in the journal Military Medicine on “Mapping the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Continuum of Care Across the Military Health System.” This in-depth article is the product of an intensive data collection and analysis process conducted by leading experts at the Uniformed Services University…
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Addressing the Recommended Changes to FASD Diagnosis Published in The Lancet
An article by a group of developmental pediatricians in Canada published this fall in the pediatric journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health raises major concerns about the use of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) as a diagnostic term. The paper “Asking difficult questions about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the context of the child, the mother, and…
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FASD Impact Week Strengthens Community and Advances the FASD Field
Last week, FASD United proudly hosted FASD Impact Week in Washington, DC. Over the course of three jam-packed days (September 16, 17, and 18), advocates, researchers, and families came together to organize, strategize, learn, and celebrate. Through workshops, a symposium, an advocacy-filled “Hill Day,” film screening, and a gala celebration, the FASD community showed up…
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Advocates Alex and Clara Educate Their City Council on FASD
Alex and Clara O’Keeffe, two powerful youth self-advocates for FASD, were the highlight of their latest City Council meeting. The brother and sister team spoke at the Kent, Washington council meeting on September 3rd to mark FASD Awareness Month. While sharing their personal story and educating the council members on FASD, they made a stirring…
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Reflections on a Decade of Powerful FASD United Gala Speeches
This article is by Andy Kachor, FASD United Communications Director As we get ready for our upcoming FASD United Red Shoes Gala this September 16th, I’d like to share some of my personal highlights from our past Galas over the years. The first Gala I attended, in 2011, featured a powerful speech from former U.S. Senator…