Media Archives

How do different professions play a part in FASD?

canfasdblogSeptember 25, 2024Holidays and EventsLeave a Comment

Individuals from various professions share their perspectives on how they play a vital role in supporting people with FASD.

Statement: CanFASD welcomes updated guidance on alcohol use

canfasdblogJanuary 23, 2023News & MediaLeave a Comment

Statement: Canada FASD Research Network welcomes updated guidelines on alcohol use

The Canada FASD Research Network (CanFASD) supports the CCSA’s new guidance on alcohol use and health released this week.

FASD Advocates Criticize SNL for Inappropriate Sketch

canfasdblogJanuary 19, 2022CanFASD AnnouncementsLeave a Comment

CanFASD Statement January 19, 2022 On January 15, 2022, NBC’s Saturday Night Live broadcast an inappropriate skit about alcohol-exposed pregnancies. Positioned as a comedy, this sketch poked fun at a teenage boy for his hygiene and social behaviour, before revealing he was prenatally exposed to alcohol. This is ableism. Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a lifelong disability impacting the brain and body. “Jokes” like this contribute to negative stereotypes and persistent stigma around FASD. This stigma negatively impacts people with FASD, their families, and people who are pregnant and using substances, making it harder to get much-needed funding and support. This stigma can also lead to feelings of shame and contribute to social isolation. Drinking during pregnancy is not a punchline. FASD is not a joke. Advocating for our community can feel like an uphill battle, especially at times like this. It is disheartening when a popular media outlet further perpetuates negative stigma, stereotypes, and misinformation that causes harm to our community. Everyone has a responsibility to learn about FASD, so that dehumanizing and traumatizing content like this is not broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide. This event highlights the need for a National FASD Strategy to further raise awareness and understanding of Canada’s leading developmental disability.

Unfortunately, not all news we get to share is good news. Over the weekend, NBC’s Saturday Night Live published an inappropriate sketch featuring a character with prenatal alcohol exposure.

National Accessibility Week and FASD

canfasdblogJune 3, 2020Holidays and EventsLeave a Comment

There are a number of people, organizations, and initiatives across Canada that are working to break down barriers to accessibility and inclusion for individuals with FASD. Here’s some of the amazing stories that we’ve seen over the past year.

#FeatureFriday – FASD in Canadian news

canfasdblogApril 17, 2020Feature Fridays, Guest BloggersLeave a Comment

People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can have difficult and stigmatizing experiences throughout their lives, as can women who drink alcohol while pregnant. For people who have never knowingly met someone with FASD, the news media could play a key role in shaping their understanding of FASD, alcohol, and pregnancy.

Attend a Virtual Presentation from the 2020 Sterling Clarren Award Winner!

canfasdblogApril 9, 2020CanFASD Announcements, Holidays and Events2 Comments

We’re excited to announce that the 2020 Sterling Clarren Award winner is John Aspler from McGill University! John is completing his doctoral thesis analyzing the discourse surrounding FASD, alcohol, and pregnancy in major Canadian print news sources.