Creating a resource to build knowledge, empathy, and practical strategies

The development of our course on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the impact of alcohol exposure in pregnancy has been a journey of learning and collaboration. It was shaped not only by research and professional expertise, but also by the lived experiences of families and young people who shared their stories with us. These perspectives helped us to design a course that balances evidence with empathy, and theory with practical strategies that can make a difference in everyday life.

Listening to families and young people

One of the most powerful influences on this course has been the stories and experiences shared by families, children, and young people. Their voices have helped us understand the realities of daily life with FASD – both the challenges and the strengths. We’ve heard about moments of struggle, but also about resilience, creativity, and joy.

These insights remind us that a course like this must go beyond theory. It needs to reflect real experiences and provide strategies that families and professionals can actually use in everyday life.

Learning from professionals and colleagues

At the same time, we’ve been fortunate to learn from research, professionals, and more experienced colleagues working in health, education, and social care. Their knowledge has grounded us in evidence-based practice and helped us to see the bigger picture – how FASD fits into wider systems of support, and what needs to change to make those systems more responsive.

By weaving together the expertise of professionals with the lived experience of families, we hope to create a course that is both practical and credible.

Bringing experiences to life

We also recognised that learning about FASD needs to be more than just listening and reading. That’s why we have built in practical experiences and activities to highlight the challenges that children and young people face in their everyday lives.

These exercises aim to give participants a sense of what it might feel like to navigate the world with FASD: whether that’s struggling with memory, processing, or managing overwhelming environments. Our hope is that these moments of stepping into someone else’s shoes will spark deeper empathy and understanding.

Our hopes for the course

As we shape this course, our hopes are threefold:

  • To build understanding – helping parents, carers, and professionals to deepen their knowledge of FASD and the impact of alcohol in utero exposure.
  • To create connections – offering a safe space for people to share, listen, and know they are not alone.
  • To explore strategies – developing practical approaches that support children and young people to thrive.

Looking ahead

We know this course will continue to evolve. Just as we have already learnt so much from the families, young people, and colleagues we’ve met, we expect to keep learning as the course develops and once it is delivered.

This is not just about teaching: it’s about building understanding together. By acknowledging the voices of those with lived experience, combining them with professional knowledge, and using practical experiences to bring those perspectives to life, we believe this course can become a resource that makes a meaningful difference.

Upcoming events

If you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to check our upcoming events for details of future courses on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). We schedule courses throughout the year, creating opportunities to deepen understanding, share experiences, and explore practical strategies for support. We’d love for you to join us at a future event and continue the journey of learning together.