NOFAS Policy Center (USA) – FASD Respect Act Signed into Law, Delivering Support to Individuals with FASD
Thanks to the advocacy of families across the country, the FASD Respect Act has been signed into law, following passage by the U.S. Congress as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 (HR.2483).
https://nofaspolicycenter.org/fasd-respect-act-signed-into-law-delivering-support-to-individuals-with-fasd/

Waatea News (New Zealand) – A Landmark Win for Disabled Learners as FASD Community Backs Human Rights Resolution
Advocacy groups and disabled learners are celebrating a significant human rights victory after overwhelming support was shown for a landmark resolution recognising the rights of people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) within New Zealand’s education and disability frameworks.
https://waateanews.com/2025/12/13/a-landmark-win-for-disabled-learners-as-fasd-community-backs-human-rights-resolution/

The Cap Times – Schools need to recognize fetal alcohol challenges
A teacher watches a student struggle to follow yesterday’s lesson. The child can’t remember the sequence or connect cause to effect, so the teacher sees defiance and laziness.
https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-schools-need-to-recognize-fetal-alcohol-challenges/article_d9160a4b-3452-400a-96c5-6c96e9966fb3.html

Quiver Quantitative (USA) – Murkowski and Klobuchar Announce Passage of FASD Respect Act to Support Affected Individuals
Senators Murkowski and Klobuchar celebrate the signing of the FASD Respect Act, enhancing support for individuals affected by FASD.
https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Murkowski+and+Klobuchar+Announce+Passage+of+FASD+Respect+Act+to+Support+Affected+Individuals

The Conversation (South Africa) – South Africa needs to rethink how it measures intellectual and developmental disabilities – what’s lacking
The effective planning and delivery of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Africa is severely constrained by the lack of reliable data.
https://theconversation.com/south-africa-needs-to-rethink-how-it-measures-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-whats-lacking-268497

Citybuzz (USA) – Texas Tech Student Receives FASD Scholarship, Highlights Need for Better Understanding in Social Work
Amelia Hernandez, a junior at Texas Tech University majoring in Social Work, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Scholarship.
https://www.citybuzz.co/2025/12/12/texas-tech-student-receives-fasd-scholarship-highlights-need-for-better-understanding-in-social-work/

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Australia) – Australia’s mothers and babies: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy
The consumption of alcohol is widespread within Australia and entwined with many social and cultural activities. Alcohol consumption in pregnancy can lead to poorer perinatal outcomes including low birthweight, being small for gestational age, pre-term birth and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) (NHMRC 2020).
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/antenatal-period/alcohol

National Organisation for FASD (UK) – National FASD response to BBC report on adoption breakdown and FASD
Today’s BBC reports on adoption breakdown shines a light on the need for better information and support for families supporting children with complex needs, including FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) as mentioned in the report.
https://nationalfasd.org.uk/response_to_bbc_report_adoption_breakdown_fasd/

FASD-CAN (New Zealand) – Alcohol and Mental Health Sector Consensus Statement
In May 2025, over 100 stakeholders from the sector came together at an Alcohol and Mental Health Symposium hosted by our friends at Alcohol Healthwatch. The ‘Consensus Statement’ resulting from the symposium has recently been released.
https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/alcohol_and_mental_health_sector_consensus_statement

NOFASD Australia – FASD Advocate Megan Brown wins Human Rights Award
NOFASD is delighted to congratulate Megan Brown, a member of our Lived Experience Advisory Group, who was announced at a ceremony in Darwin, as the recipient of an award in the prestigious NT Human Rights Awards.
https://www.nofasd.org.au/blog/fasd-advocate-megan-brown-wins-human-rights-award/