FASDNow members Brandi Madison, Annette Kunzman, and Rachel Sing collaborated with Patrica Kasper, Jan Lutke, C.J. Lutke, and Maggie May on a poster presentation at the Stanford Neurodiversity Summit. Brandi Madison presented the poster, "We Belong: Embracing Our FASD Neurodivergence to Counter Stigma”, at the conference on September 13 and 14. The presentation highlighted the challenges of living with an underrecognized neurodevelopmental disability and the significant mental and physical health comorbidities of the disability as described in the ALC Changemakers' “Lay of the Land Surveys" 1 and 2, and the HHS/CDC 2025 Research Report: Comorbidities associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in the United States. Brandi shared her personal journey and experience living with FASD and the coping mechanisms that have helped her be successful.
The conservative estimated cost of FASD for California is:
$27,832,885,000
-
health care
-
special education
-
residential care
-
productivity losses
-
corrections costs
Julie Mei Law, MD of UC Davis presented her research on FASD at the 2024 Western Medical Research Meeting this past January. The FASD Networks of Northern and Southern California were proud to be part of this research project.
UC Davis MIND Institute has brought much needed diagnosis to Northern California. The
Pediatric Evaluation for Alcohol-Related Syndrome (PEARS) Clinic sees children fro ages 2-12 and appointments are in person on the way 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
Access to an FASD diagnostic clinic is limited to 3 counties in all of California - diagnosis by age 6 is critical for better outcome (Institute of Medicine)
FASD Now Alliance Member Empowers California SELPA Administrators with Insights on Recent Legislation, Education Code 56332
[Sacramento, July 6, 2023] – Shannon Iacobacci, a member of the FASD Now Alliance, recently delivered a compelling presentation to the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Administrators of California. The event took place on July 6, 2023, in Sacramento, where Ms. Iacobacci discussed California's recently passed law, EC 56332, which now includes FASD as a named condition under Other Health Impairment, one of the categories under which a child can be found eligible for special education. Attendees gained valuable insights into the measures required to effectively assess, accommodate, and address barriers for students affected by FASD.
FASD Now has created the FASD Educational Training Series which will be available to all California school districts. Scheduling for the training will open soon.
Veronica Coates (SELPA Executive Team), Shannon Iacobacci (FASD Now Alliance Member), Rebecca Wolfe (Doctoral Candidate), and Elizabeth Engelken (SELPA Executive Team)
Of the estimated number of adolescents with FASD, 29% are expelled & 25% will drop out (CDC)
Currently no school district in California has an FASD informed program
Upcoming FASD Events
For services to be successful for people with FASD, they need accommodations specific to the diagnosis.
About 90% of people with FASD in California are undiagnosed.
If not when?
