Honoring FASD Awareness and the Power of Prevention
Author: Julie F. Beasley, Ph.D., Child Neuropsychologist
Julie Beasley, Ph.D.
Child Neuropsychologist at the Ackerman Center
Welcome to Grant a Gift Autism Foundation - Ackerman Center’s “Start Healthy, Stay Healthy” annual time of awareness for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). My first FASD Awareness Day was September 9, 2001 (24 years ago) when I was just starting practice here in Las Vegas. I am very proud to represent the work we do at the Ackerman Center for Prevention, Diagnosis and Intervention for FASD.
FASD Awareness day is on September 9th, which is the Ninth Day of the Ninth Month and represents Nine months of a health pregnancy – free of prenatal alcohol and substance exposure.
Today I wanted to focus on the need for ongoing awareness, prevention and dangers of prenatal alcohol exposure during pregnancy including prenatal substance exposure as well.
FASD is preventable and it begins with Awareness that there is “No Safe Amount of Alcohol or Substances During Pregnancy.” However, with 50% of pregnancies being “surprises or unplanned” and with a period of time prior to knowing/discovering a pregnancy, awareness and prevention efforts are always needed.
Importantly, unintentional prenatal exposure, FASD and prenatal substance exposure are not 100% preventable. By talking about pregnancy and the possibility of exposure we can create a proactive approach to awareness and prevention. Current statistics (*US DHHS, 2024; Jansson& Velez, 2021, England, et al, 2020) include:
• Prenatal Exposure: 1 in 7 to Alcohol, 1 in 5 to substances, 1 in 20 have FASD
• In Nevada, 12.4% of births per year were exposed to substances between 2018-2020
• An estimated 800,000 to 1 million infants per year have Prenatal Substance Exposure
• Marijuana is currently the most widely used illicit drug used during pregnancy
• Prenatal polysubstance exposure (multiple substances) is also common (e.g., 38.2% using alcohol plus the use of another drug)
• Substances include alcohol, opioids, cannabis, sedatives or hypnotics, cocaine, other stimulants, hallucinogens, narcotics, amphetamines, and tobacco
Each generation of “Parents to Be” need to be aware of the dangers of prenatal alcohol and substance exposure/use. Awareness includes “Alcohol Free” social media posts, TV and movies that include pregnant women, “Alcohol Free” baby showers and gender reveals, utilizing reliable birth control when you are not planning a pregnancy and stopping all prenatal alcohol and substance use once you know you are pregnant.
Spread the message “Start Healthy and Stay Healthy” during pregnancy!
🌟 New Program Alert! 🌟
Thriving Together: Resilient Pathways Forward
A 12-week program starting 9/15/25 for youth ages 8–17 with Prenatal Substance Exposure (PSE) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) (diagnosed or probable) and their parents/guardians. Youth will explore their strengths and develop skills for emotional regulation, healthy relationships, and positive decision-making — while parents/caregivers join aligned sessions to learn brain-based strategies and tools for long-term success.
Register Here: tinyurl.com/ackerman-thriving-together
