'What is FASD?' for Multi-Disciplinary Teams (Stage 1)
- Aug 22, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
Exploring the spectrum of need for professionals supporting stuck cases & families with complex overlapping needs
'FASD is the most severe of the neurodevelopmental disorders in terms of its far-reaching impact on functioning across the lifespan, and requires a unique approach to support and understanding'
Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Cassie Jackson
Neuro-developmental Trauma Training: FASD Informed(™) Professional
Aim: To provide an overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder & its co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions to support NICE Quality Standards for FASD:
Identify how alcohol is Neuro-Developmental Trauma
The impact of alcohol on the brain and its vulnerabilities
Examine how the alcohol informs the spectrum of need and some of its 328 co-occurring conditions including Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Tourette’s etc
Review developmental milestones in the womb; compare the impact on the brain and explain the lifelong impact
Recognise the brain functions and how FASD impacts development
Illustrate the facial features of FASD and when these are formed
Examine the developmental divergence of peers
Communication & safeguarding risks
Vicarious trauma and supporting needs of families
Good practice in multi-disciplinary teams and signposting to 'FASD Informed' services
Good practice in neurodevelopmental support informs us that working towards being ‘FASD Responsive’ includes empowering all members of the team who come into contact with child/ren with prenatal exposure to alcohol.
We consider how many families supporting FASD experience secondary trauma; a vicarious type of trauma that impacts the whole body, as well as considering the child/young person/adult with FASD we reflect on the whole family where we signpost you to ways to help support very challenging cases where needs change rapidly.
In practical terms, what would the indicators be for a professional when considering how FASD impacts a young person’s life story?
Although individual indicators vary greatly, this is an illustrative example of what life might be like for someone with an FASD profile:
I might appear to be very articulate but have problems understanding what you had just told me, as well as keeping track of what I was asked to do to correct my behaviour.
I might be dreadful at keeping appointments and generally organising my life, including poor money concepts and an inability to either plan or follow through on other’s plans for me.
I might be very impulsive without thinking of the consequences; and, even if corrected, I may do it again because I have great difficulty learning from experience.
I might appear truculent and challenging and act inappropriately for my age.
I might be anxious and developing mental health issues because I am being bullied or misunderstood so often.
I might have real skills and talents I am unable to demonstrate consistently because my life is so disorganised and stressful.
I might drink alcohol, take drugs, and engage in other risky behaviours (including sexual ones) because I have a very hard time controlling my impulses.
My sleep pattern will have been poor from an early age.
(Hayes, Moritz and Reid, 2020)
Online live delivery; includes Certification & FASD Resources; with progression opportunities to a higher level learning
FASD Informed (TM) Education delivered by a strong experienced qualified team, tailoring a bespoke service to support your team in becoming FASD Responsive(TM)
©FASD Informed UK
Image by kind permission of @oxherdboy: 'Regina Linke' a Taiwanese American artist specialising in Chinese gongbi-style painting, supporting emotional coaching models
