This reflection focuses on the author’s experiences as a social worker who has worked with individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and their families for almost 40 years. As part of a community of advocates that includes families and individuals who have FASD, the author discusses efforts to raise awareness and attention to the leading preventable cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States. There is an urgent need to recognize and address the individual, family and community consequences of this developmental disability related to prenatal alcohol exposure and to provide appropriate supports and services.
