September marks International FASD Awareness Month, a time to raise understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, share knowledge, and celebrate the voices of those with lived experience. The 2025 theme, Everyone Plays a Part: Take Action!, highlights how each of us can contribute to building safe and inclusive environments for people with FASD. From wearing red and joining events to learning the basics and sharing accurate information, there are countless ways to get involved. Landmarks across Canada and beyond will light up red, creating a powerful symbol of solidarity.

Taking action also means making thoughtful choices. By choosing alcohol-free alternatives, we help create healthier and safer spaces, especially for women and gender diverse individuals who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Friends, partners, and families can play an active role by going alcohol-free together, offering supportive environments, and hosting inclusive events. Small acts like these contribute to preventing prenatal alcohol exposure and supporting healthy pregnancies.

FASD Month is also about advocacy. Community members across Canada have shown how raising your voice can make a difference, from engaging with political candidates to calling for a National FASD Framework. Each action, whether it’s speaking up at a forum, meeting with representatives, or writing a letter, helps push for the changes needed to support individuals with FASD. As CanFASD reminds us, change happens when communities stay engaged and hold leaders accountable.

Finally, this month is about listening to and amplifying lived experience. Dorothy Fenwick’s poem Invited to the Table captures the importance of inclusion, while advocates like Niall Schofield remind us that patience, persistence, and unity are essential for progress. Books like What is Your Superpower? help children and families learn about FASD in empowering ways, and initiatives like the Red Shoes Rock movement keep visibility high. Everyone has a role to play, and together we can create a more supportive and informed society for people with FASD.

Find more from CanFASD (Canada, September 2025)