FASworld FASworld is an international alliance of parents and professionals who do not want to see any more children, teenagers and adults struggle with birth defects caused when their mothers drank alcohol in pregnancy. Co-founded by volunteers in Toronto, Canada, and Tucson, Arizona, it has resulted in the creation of the Canadian organization, FASworld Canada, which continues to work with the FAS Community Resource Center in Tucson to coordinate work in worldwide awareness.

Individuals struggling with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders may be diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) -- formerly known as Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) --  Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD), Alcohol-Related Birth Injury (ARBI) or Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS). (In New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and other parts of the world, these conditions are spelled, "Foetal Alcohol Syndrome," etc.). 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 possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. Psychologists and psychiatrists often assess individuals with FAS disorders as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder or Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) -- but are often unaware that the real problem is permanent neurological damage caused by prenatal alcohol. People with prenatal alcohol exposure have a high risk of mental disabilities, learning disabilities, early school drop-out, juvenile delinquency, trouble with the law, alcoholism, drug addiction, unemployment, homelessness, poverty, incarceration, and mental illness. As many as half of all adults with some form of FASD have depression and a significant percentage of those have attempted suicide. With early diagnosis and treatment, many of these "secondary disabilities" could be prevented. Damaged Angels For a comprehensive review of information about FASD, read Damaged Angels by Bonnie Buxton. You will find reviews and ordering information, including discounts for bulk orders at www.damagedangels.com                                                                 What the members of FASworld want: We want to make the world aware that no amount of alcohol in pregnancy is safe for the baby. We want to make the world aware of the millions of people internationally who can never live normally, because their brains - and often their bodies - have been damaged by alcohol before they were born. We want our governments to invest in information programs; rehabilitation facilities for women with alcohol addiction problems, and their families; adequate diagnostic facilities, special education, and other support for individuals with FAS, and their families. Volunteers from around the world work together year-round to build awareness. Each year, on September 9, we observe International FAS Awareness Day (FASDay) with its "Minute of Reflection" at 9:09 a.m. On September 9, 2007, volunteers in Canada, the U.S., England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Germany, France, Poland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, Bermuda and Costa Rica participated and new communities join in every year -- be sure to let us know when your community holds a FASDay event. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, alcohol can be very dangerous to the baby. We also ask the world to remember the millions of people worldwide who will struggle lifelong with intellectual disabilities caused by prenatal alcohol. Want to join us? Subscribe to the FASDCanada list. Feel free to reprint and distribute any printed information on this site. However, please get in touch with us for permission to use the FAS Knot. Write to us at info@fasworld.com In appreciation: Header photo: Bill Grimshaw  We wish to express our gratitude for funding from:  National Crime Prevention Centre (an initiative of Canada’s Department of Justice, which has supported our work) The Rotary Club of Agincourt Health Canada Ontario Region Public Health Agency Canada West Toronto Inter-Church Temperance Federation Wardens of St. Thomas’ Church (Belleville, ON) and Human Resources Development Canada. Special thanks to Griffiths-McBurney Ltd. for providing funds for this website, and to our many friends who have supported this important cause by donating money, time and often both. WE'VE MOVED: Please note our current address: FASworld Canada 250 Scarborough Golf Club Road Toronto, ON   M1J 3G8 Phone: 416-264-8000         Fax: 426-264-8222 info@fasworld.com