Information for Families

This section of our website has tools and information about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) for families.

Facts about FASDs Learn basic information about FASDs, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

Diagnosis See an overview of the guidelines for diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

Treatments Learn about various treatment options for FASDs, including early intervention, protective factors, medication, behavior and education therapy, parent training, and alternative approaches.

Alcohol and Pregnancy Find out how drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong disorders, known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

If Someone Special is Having a Baby If you’re a partner – or relative, or special friend – and the mother-to-be drinks alcohol, there are things you can do to help. View and print this fact sheet with tips for how to help the mother have a healthy baby.

Brochures View, print, and order brochures about drinking alcohol during pregnancy, including:

• Think Before You Drink
• I never thought I’d get pregnant…let alone have a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome
• The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol Use in Pregnancy

Milestones Your child should reach milestones in how he plays, learns, speaks and acts. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a developmental problem, even an FASD. Visit our webpage to see milestones that children should reach from 3 months to 5 years of age, plus interactive tools to help keep track of the milestones.

Strategies for Daily Living Find characteristics to look for at various ages and tips for daily living from the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS).

Reach to Teach: Educating Elementary and Middle School Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders A resource for parents and teachers to use in educating elementary and middle school children with FASDs. The booklet provides a basic introduction to FASDs, and provides tools to enhance communication between parents and teachers about schedules, strategies, and problem-solving. This resource was developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, FASD Center for Excellence.

Links to Other Websites Find more information and resources on FASDs for families from other organizations, including referral sources for treatment services, support networks, health insurance, and more.