Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FASD) are a group of diagnosable conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth (CDC 2024). FASD is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and body in different ways. As many as 1 in 20 Americans may have FASD. (May, PA et al., 2018).

Each person with FASD has distinct challenges and strengths. Every person with FASD is unique.

Visit What is FASD? for more information.

In the United States, FASD affects an estimated 1 in 20 people — making it one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in the country (Greenspan & Novick Brown, 2022; May et al., 2018). With early identification and appropriate support, individuals with FASD can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.

Supporting a person with FASD often means adjusting the environment and approach to meet their needs. Strategies that help include:

• Consistent routines

• Calm, predictable environments

• Concrete language and examples

• Multi-sensory learning (visual, auditory and tactile)

• Expectations tailored to the individual's strengths and needs

• Supportive environments

• Seeking FASD trained professionals

Facial feature are only seen in around 10% of people with FASD. Facial features alone can not diagnose someone with FASD. Research indicates that facial features associated with FASD are most identifiable during early childhood and school age. As individuals grow older these features may diminish or change, which is why early diagnostic examination is important — and why some individuals may be misdiagnosed if assessed for the first time in adulthood (Evolution of the Physical Phenotype of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders from Childhood through Adolescence,).

No, we do not offer clinical services. MassFASD offers peer-facing support for caregivers, as well as training, technical assistance, and consultation for families and professionals. Visit Our Services for more information.

Stigma, lack of diagnostic clinics, financial barriers, and dealing with systems of care that are not FASD-informed are major barriers to identification and treatment.

FASD differs from other developmental disabilities in that FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD does have unique traits and needs that are specific to the associated cognitive profile. There are many cognitive, behavioral, and adaptive impairments that overlap with other developmental disabilities.

For example, a study comparing children with FASD to children with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disorders found that children with FASD had broader, more pronounced deficits — including lower overall IQ and greater impairments in attention, memory, and executive functioning such as planning and cognitive flexibility (Fernandes-Magalhaes, R et al., 2025). While attention difficulties in FASD can resemble ADHD, they tend to stem more from trouble with executive self-regulation and organizing information than from hyperactivity or impulsivity. Verbal skills are often relatively preserved in FASD, even alongside more pronounced challenges with visuospatial reasoning and processing speed.