NCFASD Informed
11312 US 15-501 North, Ste 107/171
Chapel Hill NC 27517
919-265-3390
Website: www.ncfasdinformed.org – Creating FASD informed Communities
Facebook: NCFASD Informed
Service area: North Carolina

Recent interview with Kathy Hotelling, Board Chair on Thursdays with NAMI
https://bit.ly/youtubeNAMI

Upcoming Educational Meeting January 5, 2021
https://bit.ly/DurhamEducationalEvent

CEU Workshop with AHEC January 12, 2021
FASD: Missed Diagnosis or Missing Diagnosis
https://bit.ly/ahec2021

Ongoing Virtual Caregiver Support Group Express interest by contacting us at info@ncfasdinformed.org

NCFASD Informed is a grassroots, all volunteer non-profit with the mission of creating FASD informed communities to empower individuals impacted by prenatal exposure to alcohol. Our vision is empower individuals with an FASD to thrive.

In early February 2018, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study led by UNC researcher, Philip May, Ph.D. The study estimated the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) among first-graders in four US communities to be up to one in 20. This study, and the fact that approximately 90% of those with a diagnosable FASD are not even evaluated for this disorder, reinforces that prenatal alcohol exposure is a significant public health issue that can no longer be ignored.

Many times, those affected by alcohol in utero are diagnosed with a variety of mental health diagnoses, none of which are exactly descriptive of symptoms observed; prescribed medication may help those symptoms for a while or not at all. In either case, academic and behavioral challenges continue and all involved become discouraged. It is important to note that FASD is a whole body diagnosis and has ramifications for physical health.

The above realities for those with an FASD have been experienced firsthand by the two parents who founded NCFASD Informed. We believe that it is critical that individuals receive accurate diagnoses, as early as possible, so that they can receive comprehensive assistance in their communities. To achieve this goal, we hope to connect those with an FASD and their families to available resources throughout North Carolina.

We incorporated in January 2018 and received 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status in September 2018. Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, we will strive to create FASD informed communities of parents, teachers, and health care professionals throughout North Carolina by increasing awareness around multiple issues, including:

• how exposure to alcohol in utero can be manifested
• how to seek a diagnosis if such exposure is suspected
• how to find the most effective individualized interventions and services.

In addition, we will endeavor to provide other crucial information to parents as they assist their children in navigating their lives with this brain-based physical disability with behavioral symptoms.