Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) often face barriers when accessing education, healthcare, employment, and community services. Advocacy helps bridge that gap. Advocacy means taking action to support your own needs, rights, and interests – or those of someone you care about. For people with FASD, advocacy can make a meaningful difference by helping them receive the accommodations, services, and understanding they need to succeed.
Strong advocacy also encourages collaboration between families, educators, healthcare providers, employers, and community organizations. When everyone works together, individuals with FASD are more likely to experience positive outcomes at school, at work, and in everyday life. Advocacy isn’t about confrontation. It’s about communicating respectfully, sharing information, and working together to find practical solutions.
Different types of advocacy
Advocacy can take many forms depending on the situation. Self-advocacy means speaking up for your own needs, asking questions, requesting accommodations, and sharing what helps you succeed. Individual advocacy happens when parents, caregivers, teachers, or support workers advocate on behalf of someone with FASD to help them access services and supports. Systems advocacy focuses on improving policies, services, awareness, and inclusion so that all individuals with FASD have better access to the supports they need.
The S.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. Model
Advocacy can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when navigating complex systems. One helpful framework is the S.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. Model, which outlines eight key principles for effective advocacy:
- Speak with authority – Communicate clearly and confidently. Explain needs, in a positive and respectful way.
- Own responsibility – Own your actions and decisions. Be a leader by making choices that support personal growth and contribute positively to others.
- Learn – Build your understanding of FASD and the needs of yourself or your child. Know the facts and use trusted sources.
- Understand (Think Critically) – Question information. Ask, “Does this make sense?” Weigh evidence and stay objective.
- Team Up (Collaborate) – Bring a team together of teachers, caregivers, and family. Encourage open communication and shared goals.
- Inform (Educate) – Explain needs clearly. Help others understand and build empathy.
- Organize (Document) – Keep records, notes, and important papers. Write down achievements, appointments, promises, and expectations.
- Navigate Solutions – Focus on finding what can work. Turn challenges into practical next steps.
Continue learning about FASD advocacy
Advocacy is a skill that grows with knowledge, confidence, and practice. If you’d like to strengthen your advocacy skills, our free online course, Empowering Advocacy Skills for Families, Caregivers, and Individuals with FASD, is a great place to start. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to build on your existing skills, this course offers practical tools and real-world strategies to help you advocate with confidence and create positive outcomes for individuals with FASD.