FASD Awareness Day & Month

The month of September is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month! FASD Awareness has been celebrated on September 9th since 1999, however, 1 day is not enough for FASD awareness. FASD is the leading cause of developental disability in Canada, with approximately 4% of the Canadian population being affected by FASD (which is more than Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome combined). In September of 2020, the Government of Canada officially recoginzed September as FASD Awareness Month, expanding awareness initiatives. September is dedicated to raising awareness around FASD to improve the prevention of FASD, the assessment and diagnosis processes, and life-long support for individuals with FASD. Throughout September, events are held all across the world in recognition of FASD Awareness. 

Awareness Month Activities

Want to participate in awareness month activities? See how you can get involved here!

#MoveForFASD

Each September, fasdNL marks FASD Awareness Day and Month by hosting Move for FASD (#MoveForFASD), an
Atlantic-wide event aimed at raising awareness and encouraging discussion about alcohol, pregnancy, and FASD, through movement in whatever way you are able. Organize a walk with friends, go for a bike ride, swim, dance, etc.,  and encourage discussions about FASD!

Rock Art Painting 

Putting FASD on the Map

To recognize FASD Awareness Month in 2022, we invited municipal and provincial governments across Atlantic Canada to issue proclamations acknowledging September as FASD Awareness Month. In 2022, 57 communities, cities and provinces in Atlantic Canada issued proclamations. Check out our social media (@fasdNL), or see our Annual Report for details.

​Red Shoes Rock
Learn how to create FASD rock art with our FASD Rock Art Painting Guide! Also available in French. Paint positive FASD messages on rocks and hide them around your community. Take a photo of your rocks and tag us, @fasdNL on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter!
Red Shoes Rock is an initiative aimed at increasing awareness around FASD, by paininting red shoes on rocks and hiding them around your community. Check out our Rock Art Painting Guide for more information. 
Visit https://redshoesrock.com/ for more details! 

Lighting of Government Buildings

Each year, we ask governments to recognize FASD awareness day by lighting their key buildings in red! In 2022, Government House and Confederation Building in St. John's were lit to mark FASD awareness!

#DidYouKnow FASD Facts

Each year we post #DidYouKnow facts about FASD for the month leading up to Awareness Day. Do any of these facts surprise you? Find these posts on our social media @fasdNL, or search the #DidYouKnow hashtag!

FASD Awareness Month Toolkit

Click to download our FASD Awareness Month toolkit! It includes social media images for FASD Awareness Day and Month and you are welcome to share or post them. Be sure to tag us @fasdNL. Find "Red Shoes Rock" images, A Guide to Rock Art Painting, and more!