September is FASD Awareness Month
FASD Awareness Month is an expansion of FASD Awareness Day that has been held each year on September 9th since 1999. People all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the challenges individuals and families can face who are living with FASDs. The first FASDay was celebrated on 9/9/99. This day was chosen so that on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, the safest option is to abstain from alcohol. In 2016, FASD Day was expanded to make September FASD Awareness Month.
Spread the Word
- FASDs are preventable if a woman does not drink alcohol during pregnancy. There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. There is also no safe time to drink during pregnancy and no safe kind of alcohol to drink while pregnant. Tell others about the importance of not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
- Distribute free educational materials. CDC has free brochures, fact sheets, and other materials.
Visit the FASD Awareness Month Website for more information and ideas for getting involved.
Resources for Medical Assistants
Medical assistants should checkout the The Medical Assistant Partnership for Healthy Pregnancies and Families (MAP). The MAP serves medical assistants through a collaboration between the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT), a part of the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno with funding by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The goal of MAP is to create and disseminate messages and resources; increase knowledge about prenatal alcohol/other substance use; increase collaboration of public/clinical health partners; and increase linkages with resources for children/families with FASDs.
FASDS ARE COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur when an individual is exposed to alcohol prenatally. To prevent FASDs, alcohol should not be consumed during pregnancy or while trying to get pregnant.
MEDICAL ASSISTANTS ARE KEY
“CMAs (AAMA) are the key communication links between patients and providers, and are uniquely positioned to motivate patients to avoid or stop dangerous alcohol consumption.” – Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA, AAMA Chief Executive Officer and Legal Counsel
Resources for Behavioral Health
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASDs) Websites
- TIP 58: Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
- A Refresher on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Tips for Avoiding Alcohol Over the Holidays
- Planning and Implementing Screening and Brief Intervention for Risky Alcohol Use: A Step-by-Step Guide for Primary Care Practices
- Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies: Are Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders More Prevalent than Previously Thought?
- Are You Taking Medicine for Opioid Use Disorder and Are Pregnant or Thinking about Having a Baby?
- Resource for Reducing Stigma and Negative Bias: Your Words Matter – Language Showing Compassion and Care for Women, Infants, Families, and Communities Impacted by Substance Use Disorder
- CASAT Conversations Podcast S3 E7: Human Dynamics in Healthcare
- Sober Mom Healthy Babies