Illuminate Colorado’s educational video, “FASD Unveiled: Shedding Light, Spreading Awareness, and Building Support,” serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Introduced by Shannon Day, an Education Program Manager at Illuminate Colorado, the video emphasizes the nonprofit’s mission to foster an environment where children can prosper. Through its content, the video aims to illuminate the complexities of FASD, detailing its causes, impacts, and the paramount importance of prevention. Viewers are guided through a discussion on the challenges of identifying FASD, the critical role of spreading awareness, and strategies for building support networks for those affected. This educational tool meticulously unpacks FASD as a brain-based, lifelong physical condition, highlighting the detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and advocating for zero alcohol consumption during pregnancy to mitigate risks.

The narrative progresses to address misconceptions surrounding the timing and severity of alcohol’s impact on fetal development, reinforcing that no stage of pregnancy is safe for alcohol consumption. Utilizing visual aids and engaging questions, the video effectively communicates the teratogenic nature of alcohol and its capacity to disrupt fetal brain and organ development. Furthermore, it confronts the underrecognition of FASD, attributed to stigma, misdiagnosis, and a general lack of public and professional awareness. By presenting statistics on alcohol consumption during pregnancy and exploring reasons behind it, including unintended pregnancies and societal pressures, the video fosters a compassionate understanding of the issue. It concludes by advocating for increased dialogue, education, and support for individuals impacted by FASD, showcasing resources like Illuminate Colorado’s FASD Support Program and emphasizing the collective responsibility to prevent and address this invisible disability.

Find more from Illuminate Colorado (USA, March 2024)

Every time someone asks "how are you," do you ever just want to tell them "I am tired, cranky, hangry, and I need a shower," but instead you tell them you're fine? It's okay to be all of those things! Parenthood is hard. But you are not alone. Your community can support you! pic.twitter.com/Wt8OWC2jX1

— Illuminate Colorado (@illuminate_co) March 17, 2024