As defined by U.S. federal agencies, researchers, and other experts at the 2004 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Terminology Summit sponsored by FASD United (then the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – NOFAS), “Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis.”

Please note: In order to use less stigmatizing language a revised definition of FASD is now in use. The phrase “in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy” has been replaced with “in an individual prenatally exposed to alcohol.” Accordingly, the current definition is:

“Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual prenatally exposed to alcohol. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis.”