Information and Support
What is FASD?Did you know that fetal alcohol syndrome has a spectrum?
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What are the Signs?Learn what FASD could look like in children and adults
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Resources for FamiliesIf you are an individual or family affected by FASD, click here to learn about resources that are available
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Latest News
Free Movie Night and Panel Discussion about Teens with Brain-based Differences
When: Monday, September 5, 2019
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Where: Auditorium at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
625 C St, Anchorage, AK 99501
Join the Alaska Center for FASD on September 5, 2019, for a free showing of the film Moment to Moment: Teens Growing up with FASD’s , followed by a panel discussion with board members and advocates about the important yet often misunderstood topic of what it’s like to experience a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Chances are you know individuals and families living with the wide range of impacts associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol, especially since you often cannot “see” this disability based on appearance. They may be your classmates, students, colleagues, siblings, child or parent. Part of what makes the disability so challenging is its highly variable characteristics - a mix of emotional, behavioral and neuro-cognitive challenges and gifts that have some common traits but are also highly individualized. Moment to Moment is a documentary that chronicles the lives of four families who are raising adolescents on the fetal alcohol spectrum. It decodes what it means to live with a FASD by showing viewers the real-life challenges families face at home, in school, with jobs, dating, and at times - the legal system.
It shows, starkly, the behavior and emotional challenges, and societal barriers young people encounter as they strive for independence, and the hopes and worries of parents who want good lives for their children but often encounter a road that is long and lonely. Hope and happiness are also woven into this experience, along with tools and tactics
that families use to succeed.
This event will connect you with allies and show you how you can play a role in positive change. Please join us!
When: Monday, September 5, 2019
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Where: Auditorium at Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
625 C St, Anchorage, AK 99501
Join the Alaska Center for FASD on September 5, 2019, for a free showing of the film Moment to Moment: Teens Growing up with FASD’s , followed by a panel discussion with board members and advocates about the important yet often misunderstood topic of what it’s like to experience a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Chances are you know individuals and families living with the wide range of impacts associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol, especially since you often cannot “see” this disability based on appearance. They may be your classmates, students, colleagues, siblings, child or parent. Part of what makes the disability so challenging is its highly variable characteristics - a mix of emotional, behavioral and neuro-cognitive challenges and gifts that have some common traits but are also highly individualized. Moment to Moment is a documentary that chronicles the lives of four families who are raising adolescents on the fetal alcohol spectrum. It decodes what it means to live with a FASD by showing viewers the real-life challenges families face at home, in school, with jobs, dating, and at times - the legal system.
It shows, starkly, the behavior and emotional challenges, and societal barriers young people encounter as they strive for independence, and the hopes and worries of parents who want good lives for their children but often encounter a road that is long and lonely. Hope and happiness are also woven into this experience, along with tools and tactics
that families use to succeed.
This event will connect you with allies and show you how you can play a role in positive change. Please join us!
Center Board Member Joins FASD Champions and Experts at CDC Meeting
Board Vice President Marilyn Pierce-Bulger joined FASD champions and experts from across the country at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia (8/14-16) for the annual FASD Grantee Meeting. Marilyn is a consultant for two CDC-funded cooperative agreement projects at the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Behavioral Health Research & Services (CBHRS). One focuses on FASD prevention by promoting alcohol screening and brief intervention (aSBI) with advanced practice and other nurses. The other is a project that promotes integration of aSBI into a system of care…in the UAA project the collaboration is with Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest & Hawaii.
She was able to network with FASD prevention project representatives from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), American Academy of Family Practitioners (AAFP) , and NOFAS. The nursing collaboration organizations include the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).
The meeting was a great opportunity to share collective experiences and expand partnerships with these organizations, in furtherance of the Center’s mission to promote FASD prevention and provide support for those who live with it. One key take home message was that health professionals listen better when someone with lived experience with an FASD is sharing their story as part of the clinical presentation/training…a great strategy that we’d like to promote here in Alaska.
Board Vice President Marilyn Pierce-Bulger joined FASD champions and experts from across the country at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia (8/14-16) for the annual FASD Grantee Meeting. Marilyn is a consultant for two CDC-funded cooperative agreement projects at the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Behavioral Health Research & Services (CBHRS). One focuses on FASD prevention by promoting alcohol screening and brief intervention (aSBI) with advanced practice and other nurses. The other is a project that promotes integration of aSBI into a system of care…in the UAA project the collaboration is with Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest & Hawaii.
She was able to network with FASD prevention project representatives from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), American Academy of Family Practitioners (AAFP) , and NOFAS. The nursing collaboration organizations include the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).
The meeting was a great opportunity to share collective experiences and expand partnerships with these organizations, in furtherance of the Center’s mission to promote FASD prevention and provide support for those who live with it. One key take home message was that health professionals listen better when someone with lived experience with an FASD is sharing their story as part of the clinical presentation/training…a great strategy that we’d like to promote here in Alaska.
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Help Improve the Lives of People with FASD
Everyone with FASD has a different experience and genetics might play a role in these differences. This site explains the study and contains short videos (one for kids and a longer one for adults) that explains it. Each gene has a small effect, so they need YOU to help them! By understanding how genes make FASD different, they can use that information to help improve treatments and interventions. Your time is valuable. They will send you a $50 gift card for completing the study. To apply to participate in the study, click here. |
Recent Anchorage Daily News FASD-related Sponsored Content
Presented by LetsTalkFASDak
Check out this new three part series about FASD and its’ impact on individuals and families.
Part 1- “He looks so normal”, when it comes to FASDs, there’s no such thing as predictability
Part 2- In search of a better conversation about alcohol and pregnancy
Part 3- Living with FASD: "I’m going to have this for the rest of my life"
Funding for https://letstalkfasdak.org/ is from The Alaska Mental Health Trust
Presented by LetsTalkFASDak
Check out this new three part series about FASD and its’ impact on individuals and families.
Part 1- “He looks so normal”, when it comes to FASDs, there’s no such thing as predictability
Part 2- In search of a better conversation about alcohol and pregnancy
Part 3- Living with FASD: "I’m going to have this for the rest of my life"
Funding for https://letstalkfasdak.org/ is from The Alaska Mental Health Trust
It’s Not Too Early To Start Thinking About Attending the 9th International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD!
This conference consistently brings several hundred participants together (at the last one 70 of the 700 attendee had an FASD) to discuss research, service needs, long term health differences and needs, and opportunities for support for those affected by FASD. Click here to submit an abstract for a presentation.
Conference dates: April 22-25, 2020
in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
This conference consistently brings several hundred participants together (at the last one 70 of the 700 attendee had an FASD) to discuss research, service needs, long term health differences and needs, and opportunities for support for those affected by FASD. Click here to submit an abstract for a presentation.
Conference dates: April 22-25, 2020
in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED WITH YOU2018With donations from many of you, we were able to raise enough funds to send Sierra, a teen with FASD, and her guardian to the International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD in April. Read about her experience here
Over the last year, the Center has organized 7 community events and presented at 5 professional conferences to a total audience of over 1000 people as part of our mission to spread awareness of and education about FASDs and their impact on our communities! Read about our community events here
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HELP US EXPAND2019We value your input, and we want to use our resources in the most effective way possible to advance our mission to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies, promote successful outcomes for affected individuals and families, and act as a catalyst for creating FASD-informed communities of care.
In 2019, we will also be continuing and expanding our current activities, including:
Your support allows us to continue expanding our activities to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies, promote successful outcomes for affected individuals and families, and act as a catalyst for creating FASD-informed communities of care. Consider making a donation today to continue to support this vital work! |
DONATE TODAYDonateWith the help of your donations we can create a community even more capable of helping those affected by FASD and their families.
Donate Today |
