Issue Papers

CanFASD Issue Papers

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A Place to Call Home: Addressing Housing Needs for Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (2024)

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the existing literature on housing for people with FASD and recommendations for policymakers and service providers for implementing FASD-informed approaches to effectively address housing needs.

Folic Acid, Choline Supplementation and FASD (2024)

Nutrition is an important aspect of a healthy pregnancy. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies and thus vitamin, mineral and essential nutrient supplements may be beneficial. Emerging evidence suggests that the use of certain micronutrient supplements during pregnancy, such as folic acid and choline, may mitigate some effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. While more research is needed to better understand the potential of folic acid and choline supplementation to lessen the teratogenicity of alcohol use during pregnancy and thus improve infant and child outcomes, this issue paper highlights what is known and the role of nutrition in healthy pregnancies, FASD prevention, and improving health equity for women and gender diverse people who use substances during pregnancy.

The Prevalance of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy In Canada (2024)

In Canada, research on the prevalence of and risk factors associated with alcohol use during pregnancy is scarce. Current evidence suggests that the prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy is rising globally, with an estimated 10 – 15% of pregnancies in Canada being alcohol exposed. In this issue paper we describe what is known about the prevalence of alcohol use in pregnancy, influences and factors associated with alcohol use during pregnancy, and the role of stigma in perpetuating fear, shame, and blame around substance use during pregnancy. We conclude with policy, practice, and research implications.

Employment and FASD: An Updated Look at Strategies for Success (2023)

Many people with FASD have difficulties finding and keeping meaningful employment due to body and brain-based differences that can impact their daily functioning. Importantly, employment success for people with FASD can be supported through leveraging individual strengths, skills, abilities, and providing opportunities for accommodations in the workplace.

Gap Analysis: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (2023)

There has been an increase in the awareness of disabled people who identify with a diverse sexual and/or gender identity. Although this area has been minimally explored within the context of FASD, this issue is frequently broached by caregivers and service providers as an area of increased need and support. FASD is complex, and the combination of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations with FASD can increase the vulnerability of people with FASD. Therefore, approaches to care and service provision should identify and dismantle heteronormative and binary structures to reframe inclusivity. Absent societal perceptions of these intersecting identities raise human rights and equity concerns as many people with diverse gender and sexual identities experience stigmatization, discrimination, unmet health needs, and suicidality. Thus, an intersectional and human rights-based lens must be applied in research, policy, and practice to aid social transformation toward an inclusive society, including for persons with FASD.

Why FASD Diagnostic Assessment is Important (2023)

Early diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) allow for an understanding of an individual’s strengths and challenges which facilitates entry into appropriate intervention and support services. In turn, early diagnosis can mitigate the development of difficulties in daily living associated with this neurodevelopmental disability and promote healthier outcomes. Even if individuals do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of FASD, a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment process for those who have had prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) provides important information about learning, behaviour, and physical and mental health that will guide care and appropriate supports. This issue paper outlines the importance of an FASD diagnostic assessment to supporting and improving outcomes for diagnosed individuals and their families.