Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) e-learning resource

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is both the most common and the most overlooked neurodevelopmental condition in most OECD countries. For example, the Scottish Government estimates that approximately 172,000 children, young people and adults across the country have their lives and life chances adversely affected by FASD. And yet, only a tiny proportion of people with FASD have been officially diagnosed, actively assisted or effectively supported.

To help overcome the longstanding misdiagnosis, misunderstanding and mistreatment of people with this life-altering condition, the Scottish Government has launched a free FASD eLearning resource on the NHS Education for Scotland (NES) website.

The module has four sections: 

• Understanding,
•  Preventing, 
• Identifying, and 
• Intervening/Supporting

The completion time is estimated at 1 hour 40 minutes. More detailed resources on each section are available or referenced.

Professionals in health, youth work, education, criminal justice, social work and other relevant services – as well as the individuals, families, and communities they support – can benefit from this new source of accurate information and insights for improving practice.  Many of these professionals have an important, but largely unrecognised, role to play in raising awareness, preventing FASD, identifying and/or better supporting children, young people, and adults.

Anyone (not just people in Scotland)  can access this FASD eLearning resource free of charge. However, it does require registering with NES/Turas, which can be done here: NES/TURAS Dashboard  

This eLearning resource was created by a Scottish Government Expert Group. For further information, please contact one of the members of that Expert Group - Dr Jonathan Sher of the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland - at jonathan.sher@qnis.org.uk

Please note that anyone In Scotland (or beyond) can access this FASD eLearning resource free of charge. However, it does require registering with NES/Turas, which can be done here: NES/TURAS Dashboard 

Please share this information and link with others to raise awareness of FASD and to encourage them to use this new eLearning resource.