Pregnancy, Alcohol and FASD: The Surprising Reality

NOFASD Australia
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How much do you know about pregnancy and alcohol? The reality may surprise you. Alcohol exposure while in the womb may cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, in the unborn child. It is more common than many people realise. It may lead to lifelong physical and developmental impairments. For such an impactful disorder, it is rarely spoken about in the popular media. This podcast will take the listener behind the scenes to chat with the people who understand FASD the most and to find out more about this surprising reality.

  1. Sep 15

    #42 Beyond Awareness: Becoming FASD Informed with Emma McDougall

    In this episode of “Pregnancy, Alcohol and FASD: The Surprising Reality”, host Kurt Lewis speaks with Emma McDougall, a FASD-informed occupational therapist and Clinical Advisor at NOFASD Australia. Emma discusses what it truly means to be FASD informed, moving beyond simply knowing about FASD to understanding how it affects each individual’s daily life. They explore the importance of a strengths-based and brain-based approach, the value of listening to lived experience, and how professionals can adapt environments, expectations and supports to better meet the needs of people with FASD. Emma also shares practical advice for clinicians working with people with FASD, including considerations for NDIS reports and advocacy. The conversation highlights a key message: awareness is important, but genuine understanding, compassion and action can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people with FASD and their families. For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ Producers: Kurt Lewis, Julie Flanagan and Sophie Harrington Narrator: Frances Price Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewees: Emma McDougall The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewees. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #42 Beyond Awareness: Becoming FASD Informed with Emma McDougall

  2. Sep 8

    #41 Confabulation & Perseverance with Dr Vanessa Spiller

    Kurt is joined by Dr Vanessa Spiller; an experienced Clinical Psychologist with around 30 years of practice who is dedicated to supporting individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She shares her personal and professional journey with FASD - from discovering the condition through parenting her son, to seeing how lived experience has shaped her clinical practice. Dr Spiller explores why FASD can be a “chameleon” condition, often resembling Autism, ADHD, intellectual disability and other diagnoses, and why recognising the brain-based differences behind behaviour is so important. She discusses executive functioning, memory, comprehension, confabulation and suggestibility, and the particular risks these vulnerabilities can create for people with FASD in the justice system. The conversation also offers practical advice for caregivers and professionals, including how to respond to confabulation and perseveration with empathy, regulation and problem-solving rather than confrontation. Dr Spiller highlights the importance of ensuring that people with FASD have appropriate support when interacting with police, medical professionals and the justice system. If you live in Australia and would like to receive some of the free “Police Information Cards” mentioned in this episode, please register your interest and provide your postal address at: https://www.nofasd.org.au/contact-us/ For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ Producers: Kurt Lewis, Julie Flanagan and Sophie Harrington Narrator: Frances Price Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewee: Dr Vanessa Spiller The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewee. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #41 Confabulation & Perseverance with Dr Vanessa Spiller

  3. 09/15/2025

    #40 Linking Caregivers: NOFASD's Online Support Program with Professor Anita Gibbs & Julie Flanagan

    Kurt is joined by Professor Anita Gibbs, of the University of Otago, New Zealand and Julie Flanagan. NOFASD’s National Projects and Communications Manager. Together they discuss a research article based on the outcomes of the Families Linking with Families program and the benefits of the program as confirmed by participating caregivers.. The Families Linking with Families program is an online support group developed by NOFASD Australia in conjunction with Professor Gibbs, to provide education and peer support for those who are caregivers for individuals living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Key points about the Families Linking with Families program: - It is a structured and guided 7-week online support group which is led by trained facilitators, each of whom is a parent or caregiver for an individual with FASD. The main benefits include: - Enabling caregivers to connect with others who are going through similar experiences, thereby lessening the sense of loneliness experienced by many carers. - Providing a safe and confidential space for caregivers to share their specific situation and challenges without judgement - Increasing caregiver knowledge about FASD, effective parenting/caregiving approaches and FASD-informed strategies. - Empowering caregivers and building their resilience. The online format makes the program accessible across Australia, even for those in remote areas. The program is delivered several times a year and is refined based on participant feedback and issues of concern tabled during meetings. Australians interested in participating in a future support group should contact the NOFASD Australia helpline on 1800 860 613 or visit our website through this link to express interest. The research article discussed in this episode is: “An Australian Online Training and Support Program for Caregivers of Children and Youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Families Linking with Families” by Anita Gibbs, Julie Flanagan and Louise Gray is freely accessible. It's an open access article in the Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. The full article can be read at: https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2023.2271757. For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ Producers: Kurt Lewis, Julie Flanagan and Louise Gray Narrator: Frances Price Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewees: Professor Anita Gibbs & Julie Flanagan The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewees. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #40 Linking Caregivers: NOFASD's Online Support Program with Professor Anita Gibbs & Julie Flanagan

  4. 09/08/2025

    #39 Advances in FASD Research with Dr Jeffrey Wozniak & Dr Blake Gimbel

    Kurt is joined by Dr Jeffrey Wozniak; a clinical paediatric neuropsychologist at the University of Minnesota and Dr Blake Gimbel; also a paediatric neuropsychologist and Assistant Clinical Professor at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Ohio State University. They discuss their recent research which includes using brain imaging techniques, using online cognitive assessment tools to aid in FASDdiagnosis, and examining the role of sleep disturbances in FASD. One promising intervention they have studied is choline supplementation, which has been shown to have small, but measurable benefits in improving memory and cognitive function in young children with FASD. Overall, the researchers emphasise the importance of hope and continued research to support those living with FASD and their families. For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ Producers: Kurt Lewis and Julie Flanagan Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewees: Dr Jeffrey Wozniak and Dr Blake Gimbel Narrator: Frances Price The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewee. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #39 Advances in FASD Research with Dr Jeffrey Wozniak & Dr Blake Gimbel

  5. 09/29/2024

    #38 Justice Plea Deals and FASD with Katelyn Mullally

    Kurt is joined by Katelyn Mullally, a PhD Candidate in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Guelph in Canada, who is researching youth justice, legal decision-making and FASD. They discuss her research on guilty pleas and plea understanding in youth and young adults with FASD. She found that individuals with FASD had difficulty understanding the terms and consequences of guilty pleas compared to those without FASD. She also emphasises the importance of legal professionals being aware of FASD and adapting their practices to support defendants with FASD. For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ Producers: Kurt Lewis, Louise Gray and Julie Flanagan Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewees: Katelyn Mullally Narrator: Frances Price The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewee. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #38 Justice Plea Deals and FASD with Katelyn Mullally

  6. 09/24/2024

    #37 FASD and Injustice with David Junior Gilbert

    Kurt is joined by Dr David Junior Gilbert from the University of Salford in the UK. He is a University Fellow researching the intersection of FASD and the criminal justice system. His research focuses on factors that make individuals with FASD more vulnerable to involvement in the criminal justice system, such as confabulation, suggestibility, compliance, and acquiescence. Dr. Gilbert is leading a larger international study examining these issues in multiple countries, aiming to provide scientific evidence to support decision-making in the justice system. For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ If you are interested in the international study on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the justice system, at the time of the release of this podcast Dr Gilbert is still recruiting research participants. To express your interest in being involved please see: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/salford/international-fasd-and-justice-system-study Producers: Kurt Lewis, Louise Gray and Julie Flanagan Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewees: Dr David Junior Gilbert Narrator: Frances Price The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved – No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewee. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #37 FASD and Injustice with David Junior Gilbert

  7. 09/17/2024

    #36 Learning with FASD with Julia Riches

    Kurt is joined by Julia Riches, Research Officer for the Learning with FASD initiative. They discuss the Learning with FASD project which aims to provide primary school teaching and support staff with evidence-based resources to understand and support children with FASD in Australian primary schools. You can access the Learning with FASD resources on this page of the NOFASD website: https://www.nofasd.org.au/service-providers/education/  This webpage also provides a wide range of other resources designed to assist educators to become more FASD-informed and confident in using strategies that can assist students who have FASD. This is a link to the Learning with FASD website: https://learningwithfasd.org.au/ For more information about FASD, please go to: https://www.nofasd.org.au/ For information about the National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategic Action Plan which is mentioned in this podcast please see: https://www.nofasd.org.au/strategic-action-plan/ Producers: Kurt Lewis, Louise Gray and Julie Flanagan Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewees: Julia Riches Narrator: Frances Price The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewee. NOFASD makes every effort to ensure all content is free from judgement and stigma. NOFASD’s mission includes reducing stigma for families and individuals impacted by FASD.

    #36 Learning with FASD with Julia Riches

  8. 09/08/2024

    #35 Five Years On – reflecting on the myths and reality of FASD with Louise Gray

    This episode marks the five-year anniversary since the very first episode of NOFASD’s podcast series: “Pregnancy, Alcohol and FASD: The Surprising Reality”. For this special anniversary episode Kurt is joined again by Louise Gray, Chief Executive Officer of NOFASD Australia, to chat about key issues related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. They discuss the ongoing work of NOFASD Australia, which this year is celebrating its 25th Anniversary as the National Organisation for FASD and highlight new services developed and expanded by the organisation over the past five years. In addition they reflect on some of the persistent myths about FASD which can negatively impact on prevention of this disability as well as the understanding of the multitude of ways in which this spectrum-based disorder presents in different individuals and what is being done to counteract these myths. For more information please go to https://www.nofasd.org.au/ Producers: Kurt Lewis, Julie Flanagan and Louise Gray Narrator: Frances Price Interviewer: Kurt Lewis Interviewee: Louise Gray The copyright is owned by NOFASD Australia. All rights reserved  - No reproduction or use of this content without written consent of Kurt Lewis and NOFASD Australia.

    #35 Five Years On – reflecting on the myths and reality of FASD with Louise Gray
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How much do you know about pregnancy and alcohol? The reality may surprise you. Alcohol exposure while in the womb may cause Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, in the unborn child. It is more common than many people realise. It may lead to lifelong physical and developmental impairments. For such an impactful disorder, it is rarely spoken about in the popular media. This podcast will take the listener behind the scenes to chat with the people who understand FASD the most and to find out more about this surprising reality.

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