FASD Awareness Month
9th Month • 9 Months of Pregnancy
FASD Awareness Month
9th Month • 9 Months of Pregnancy
Raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and celebrate the accomplishments of those with #FASD!
Wear your red shoes to show support.
Lethbridge City Council has proclaimed today, September 9, as FASD Day in the City of Lethbridge and the month of September as FASD Month. Tonight (September 9, 2026) the Lethbridge City Hall will be lit up in red to commemorate FASD Day. As well, the supportive housing unit at 416 9 Street North will be lit up in red.
What is FASD?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
What is FASD?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. It is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and body of people who were exposed to alcohol in the womb. Each person with FASD has both strengths and challenges and will need special supports to help them succeed with many different parts of their daily lives.
The Truth: You often can‘t tell if someone has FASD just by looking at them.
Less than 10% of people with prenatal alcohol exposure have visible facial differences, as there is only a short period of time during the pregnancy when alcohol affects facial features. That is why FASD may be viewed as an “invisible disability.”
The Truth: There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Experts recommend that the safest option is no alcohol at all.
ZERO alcohol is safest
But there are a number of reasons someone may drink during pregnancy, including:
- Not knowing the risks of drinking during pregnancy
- Not knowing they are pregnant
- Using alcohol to cope with trauma or violence
- Pressure from a partner
- Substance use challenges
Go alcohol-free if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or having unprotected sex.
The Truth: The brain damage associated with FASD makes it difficult if not impossible for individuals to control their behaviour. It is not a choice.
People with FASD may experience many challenges. Approximately 90% of people with FASD will experience mental health challenges at some point.
The Truth: FASD is a permanent, life-long disability that often creates greater challenges in adulthood, when its behavioural consequences become less acceptable.
FASD is a WHOLE BODY DISORDER; it affects both the brain and the body.
The Truth: The only known cause of FASD is a woman’s consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. However, expectant fathers can play a key role in prevention by supporting their partners in the decision not to drink alcohol during pregnancy.
There is no safe time, no safe kind,
and no safe amount of alcohol to consume during pregnancy.
In Alberta, FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) programs and services actively encourage that drinking no alcohol during pregnancy is best – no exposure equals no risk. These programs address prevention, awareness as well as supports for diagnosis/assessment and a variety of supports to individuals with FASD and their families.
