​FASD Awareness Month: What Can You Do to Get Involved?

Laura Squires, NL
​​Do you know someone who is pregnant or who may become pregnant? If yes, you are part of the prevention of FASD and to help spread awareness about the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy.
 
FASD Awareness month was developed as an expansion to FASD Awareness Day, which was first recognized on September 9th, 1999. FASD Awareness is honored on the 9th day of the 9th month to represent the 9 months of pregnancy. FASD Awareness Day is still recognized, and was expanded into awareness month in 2016 to increase efforts around raising awareness of the lifelong effects of FASD, to improve prevention, assessment and diagnostic processes, and support for individuals with FASD.

 
Quick facts about FASD
-FASD prevention involves supportive partners, families and communities. 
-FASD is a leading cause of developmental disability in Canada, with more individuals being affected than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and down syndrome combined. 
-Many individuals with FASD and their families have no formal supports available to them.
-Awareness helps decrease stigma, which may lead more pregnant people, or people who may be pregnant, to seek out support if struggling with alcohol.
 
Here at fasdNL, we are doing many things during September to raise awareness around FASD, build communities and extend supports. Check out some of our initiatives and how to get involved below! 
 
1- Move for FASD 
 
Help to raise awareness and engage friends, family, co-workers and community members by participating in our #MoveForFASD event, and be entered to win one of five $50 prepaid credit cards!
 
Check out the event page here to register: ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3PssDm4
 
How to participate anywhere in Atlantic Canada:
1. During the month of September 2022 register online ($5 or a donation amount of your choice)
2. Move! (walk, roll, run, dance, bike, yoga, etc.)
3. Once registered, you are automatically entered to win 1 of 5, $50 prepaid credit cards
4. Post a picture of your movement and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (@fasdNL) for an extra chance to win!
All funds raised will go towards supporting families impacted by FASD in Atlantic Canada.
#FasdAwarenessMonth
 
2- Rock Art Guide
In support of FASD awareness month, we are inviting individuals and organizations to participate in the FASD Rock Art Challenge! 
 
Check out our Rock Art Painting Guide for tips and tricks! ⬇️ 🧑🏽‍🎨
https://bit.ly/3QkMQen
 
All you need for this family-friendly activity are some rocks, paint and a little creativity. Paint your rocks with positive FASD awareness messages, images, or colors.
Post a photo of your painted rock to social media and tag us @fasdNL!
 
3- Map of Proclamations 
 
To help spread awareness and accurate messaging about FASD, fasdNL invited municipalities, towns and cities across Atlantic Canada to proclaim September, 2022 as FASD Awareness Month. Together, we are putting FASD on the Map!
 
Over 50 locations accepted the invitation to issue proclamations last year, and this year, the proclamations are again rolling in! We thank all municipalities, towns and cities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island for considering proclaiming September, 2022 to be FASD Awareness Month, and for their awareness efforts.
 
Check back at the end of the month to see our #FASDmap; a visual representation of all the locations that joined us in proclaiming September as FASD awareness month! 
 
4- #DidYouKnow Posts 2022
 
Leading up to FASD Awareness month, we posted 1 FASD fact per day in August on all of our social media platforms. Scroll back or check out the 31 days of FASD facts here on our website: Feel free to share these images, and be sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, @fasdNL. 
 
Want to know more about FASD? Check out the “About”, “Prevention”, and “Resources” tabs on our website. For more ways to support us in our efforts, check out the “Support” tab on our website.