First FASD Awareness Month since federal law passage spotlights underrecognized condition

September 2026 is the first FASD Awareness Month since Congress passed the FASD Respect Act, putting fetal alcohol spectrum disorders back in the national spotlight. Advocates say the law could help close major gaps in diagnosis, services and awareness for a condition they say affects about 1 in 20 U.S. schoolchildren.

Why it matters: - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders affect millions of children and adults, but most people with the condition still go unrecognized. - The FASD Respect Act gives the federal government a coordinated framework to respond to prenatal alcohol exposure and related needs. - Advocates say broader awareness could improve early diagnosis, access to services and long-term outcomes.

What happened: - September 2026 is the first FASD Awareness Month since the U.S. Congress passed the FASD Respect Act. - FASD United is using the month to highlight the condition’s prevalence and the need for federal recognition in practice. - The awareness campaign is centered on reducing stigma, expanding diagnosis and services, and recognizing the strengths of people with FASD.

The details: - FASD is a lifelong condition caused by alcohol exposure before birth. - The condition can affect physical, behavioral and learning development across a wide spectrum. - A 2018 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, found as many as 1 in 20 U.S. schoolchildren may be on the FASD spectrum. - That estimate is more than double the rate of autism and roughly equal to a child in every classroom. - About 10% of people with FASD have the facial features often associated with the condition, which means most cases are not obvious without specific screening. - Individuals with FASD often benefit most from early diagnosis, early intervention and care informed by lifelong understanding of the condition.

Between the lines: - The federal law reflects years of advocacy from families and self-advocates who wanted FASD treated as a national public health issue. - The condition’s low visibility helps explain why diagnosis and treatment services remain scarce. - The emphasis on strengths, not just deficits, suggests advocates want schools, clinicians and policymakers to shift from awareness alone to practical support.

What’s next: - FASD United will host National FASD Impact Week Sept. 27-30, 2026, in Washington, DC. - The event will bring together people with FASD, family members, clinicians, researchers and policymakers. - The gathering is free and open to anyone working to improve outcomes for people with FASD. - Credentialed media can attend sessions or request interviews with speakers, self-advocates and family members in advance. - FASD United is urging human service organizations, health care providers and educators to learn more and bring FASD-informed supports to the people who need them. - More information is available at FASD United or the CDC FASD resource.