People affected by FASD and their families may want information and support, someone to talk to, or the ability to connect with other families.
Information on FASD support and advocacy organisations and individuals is listed below.
NOFASD Australia (NOFASD)
NOFASD's mission is to be a strong and effective voice for individuals and families living with FASD, while supporting initiatives across Australia to promote prevention, diagnosis, intervention and management. Their vision is to see an improved quality of life for those living with FASD and their parents and carers and to be a bridge linking those with lived experience with researchers and clinicians.
NOFASD Australia is registered as an incorporated association, holds Health Promotion Charity status and is endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient.
The organisation provides:
- support for individuals/parents/caregivers/families before, during and after a diagnostic assessment
- free online and telephone support via a helpline
- advocacy
- website with resources for individuals, parents/caregivers and families
- series of YouTube videos
- education and training workshops to a wide range of audiences across Australia. The content and format of each workshop is tailored according to the level of knowledge of the group and specific need
- fact sheets about common behaviours and ways of managing these behaviours
Contact:
Phone: NOFASD National Helpline - 1800 860 613
Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association (rffada)
rffada's mission is to to support families, to provide information, training and education to increase the capacity of communities, organisations and individuals to support those people living with FASD to live to their full potential. Their vision is to have FASD-specific health, allied health and related services available for all those who require them and to support raising awareness of the consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
rffada is a not-for-profit health promotion charity.
Contact:
Phone: 0412 550 540
Email: Elizabeth Russell
FASD Tasmania
FASD Tasmania's mission is a commitment to creating an informed and inclusive Tasmanian community through collaborative partnerships and by empowering our community to understand FASD. Their vision is underpinned withthe values of commitment, integrity. collaboration, empowerment and evolving.
FASD Tasmania is an incorporated association and registered by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.
Contacts:
Phone: 0400 133 107
Email: Vicki Russell
Australian Peer-Support and Facebook Groups
There are some groups run by parents/carers/people with lived experience offering closed/private membership via Facebook or other online mediums, which families might find helpful. If you are interested, NOFASD Australia and rffada have links to online support groups and Facebook groups for you to investigate and decide if you would like to join such a group. The FASD Hub cannot guarantee that information shared through these support groups is evidence-based.
NOFASD Australia Support for Caregivers & Families
This link includes information about the 'Families Linking with Families' program. This is a series of six support groups which are being offered throughout 2021, with a further two support groups commencing in early 2022. These structured and guided support groups will facilitate information sharing among parents/caregivers who are living in Australia and supporting someone diagnosed with FASD or suspected FASD. Each support group will meet for 90 minutes once a week over seven weeks, using a mix of facilitator-led and group discussion, acitivities, resources, film and video clips, and guest speakers. There will be a maximum of 15 participants in each group and an emphasis on respecting confidentiality of information shared. All sessions will be conducted online via Zoom, allowing participants to engage face to face. Information sharing will include a focus on FASD across the lifespan, lived experience, managing stress, interventions and strategies, accessing supports and building family resilience and strengths. The evidence based content has been developed in conjunction with Associate Professor Anita Gibbs (PhD) from the University fo Otago who is an adoptive parent, social worker and university academic. She has both lived experience and research knowledge of FASD. To find out more and to register your interest, send a message on the NOFASD contact page.
Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association Parent Support