Category: News
-
William J. Edwards, Expert on FASD and the Law, to Receive Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights From the American Bar Association
FASD United congratulates William J. Edwards, a leading expert in FASD and the law, on his selection as the recipient of the prestigious Paul G. Hearne Award for Disability Rights by the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Disability Rights. William “Billy” Edwards is a Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender working in the Los…
-
A Look at CIFASD Researcher Dr. Olivia Weeks
Dr. Olivia Weeks is a researcher and key member of the Collaborative Initiative on FASD (CIFASD). Much of Dr. Weeks’ research involves the connection between prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and heart health, including congenital heart defects. Please watch the short video below, in which Dr. Weeks summarizes her research in plain language. FASD United recently had the opportunity to…
-
A Look at CIFASD Researcher Sarah Mattson
Dr. Sarah Mattson is a researcher and key member of the Collaborative Initiative on FASD (CIFASD). Please watch the short video below, in which Dr. Mattson summarizes her research in plain language. Dr. Mattson works on FASD diagnosis, including BRAIN-online, a quick and accessible screening tool for FASD, which can be completed in about 30-60…
-
A Mother Reflects, “When Dialing 911 is Easy, Finding Appropriate Care is Not.”
The following personal reflection is written by Laura Bousquet, a passionate FASD advocate, Family Navigator for FASD United, and Board Member of the Texas FASD Network, a FASD United affiliate. My son is a young adult with multiple diagnoses, including a brain-based disability, and he is currently experiencing severe and persistent depression. He frequently describes…
-
FASD NPN Spotlight: Nursing Partnership of the University of Alaska, AWHONN, and NPWH
“There is so much we can do to make people’s lives better,” Alexandra Edwards emphasized during our recent conversation. “If we support individuals and just ask people about their alcohol use, we can make such an impact.” Her passion grew as she described the “long-term upstream impacts of prevention and support.” Working in partnership with…
-
FASD Respect Act Signed into Law, Delivering Support to Individuals with FASD
Landmark legislation marks milestone in FASD policy, safeguarding and updating FASD programs and services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, December 2, 2025 Thanks to the advocacy of families across the country, the FASD Respect Act has been signed into law, following passage by the U.S. Congress as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and…
-
Giving Tuesday: Kick Off the Charitable Season with a Gift to FASD United
During this season of giving FASD United is making ambitious plans for 2026, and we need you by our side. For a moment, we reflect on a year full of accomplishments. The International Research Conference, Impact Week featuring our 35th Anniversary Red Shoes Gala, Hill Day, call to action symposium, and more, passage of the…
-
FASD Respect Act Language Presented to President
November 26th, 2025 It has been over two months since the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 2483), which includes authorization of the FASD Respect Act, passed both chambers of Congress. Yesterday, on November 25th, this bill was presented to the President, marking its final hurdle before officially becoming law. Now…
-
Guidance on Autism and Substance Exposure Raises Concerns and Highlights the Need for Respectful Language and Scientific Accuracy
FASD United shares the concerns raised by leading autism organizations and maternal health organizations regarding new Federal health agency guidance on autism and prenatal substance exposure. These new materials and guidance are a cause for concern within the FASD community. FASD often co-occurs with autism, and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) often co-occurs with other substance…
-
FASD Expert Mary Kate Weber Shares Lessons Learned and Reflects on a Distinguished Career with CDC’s Prenatal Substance Exposure Surveillance and Research Team
Mary Kate Weber recently retired from CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) after a distinguished career with CDC’s Prenatal Substance Exposure Surveillance and Research team, which has worked at the forefront of our nation’s federal response to the public health challenges of FASD and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). FASD United is…