FASD Awareness Month 2026
Let's Go None for Nine!
Living in New Orleans, we're lucky to have a culture that knows how to have a good time and celebrate all moments, but those celebrations don't have to include alcohol. Whether you're expecting a baby, supporting someone who is pregnant, or simply looking for a refreshing alternative, alcohol-free beverages can be part of a healthy and meaningful celebration.
The "None for Nine" campaign promotes a simple but important fact: no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
A baby is worth celebrating. Let's make it None for Nine.
No alcohol? No problem!
No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Alcohol exposure in the womb can cause lifelong effects. But don't worry. Zero-proof cocktails can be just as refreshing, festive, and fun!
To celebrate FASD Awareness Month this September, HDC has partnered with Dominic at The Double Club to feature a special raspberry mint shrub mocktail, offering a festive alcohol-free option for everyone.
Raspberry Mint Shrub Mocktail Recipe
- 2 oz Raspberry Syrup*
- 0.75 oz Apple Cider Vinegar
- 0.5 oz Lime Juice
- 1 bunch Mint (or other herb!)
- Top with Sparkling Water
*You can make syrup at home with raspberry jam! Simmer 2 parts raspberry jam with 1 part water for 1–2 minutes. Then add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, to taste. Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Grab a shrub at the Double Club
This mocktail was created by Dominic at The Double Club on 307 Chartres St. in New Orleans, LA
The Hidden Neurodevelopmental Disability Affecting 1 in 20 Children
With 1 in 20 children estimated to have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the United States, FASD isn't rare. It's everywhere. FASD is a range of conditions that can occur in individuals that were exposed to alcohol in the womb. These conditions can lead to lifelong physical, behavioral, and cognitive impacts, including difficulties with learning, memory, attention, and social interactions.
We're joining FASD United to educate our communities about the risks associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, provide support to individuals and families affected by FASD, and combat stigma.
Learn more about FASD and get resources from FASD United
Early identification and intervention can improve developmental, educational, and behavioral outcomes, yet few maternal and child health professionals receive formal training in FASD screening, diagnosis, or management. Join the Human Development Center in building an FASD network in Louisiana.
FASD & Executive Functioning
This FASD Awareness Month, we’re looking at how FASD affects Executive Functioning. Executive Functioning is a set of mental skills that help us plan, focus, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. With the right accommodations, understanding, and structure, everyone can develop effective strategies, build routines, and thrive!
Executive Functioning and Task Analysis Reels
Sometimes, a task feels overwhelming because there are more steps than we realize.
LASARD Facilitator Brittany Clark shows us how a Task Analysis can help you break an activity down into smaller, manageable steps—like making a peanut butter
sandwich. Before you can even make the sandwich, you have to grab the bread, open
the bag, and get the other ingredients. Breaking a task into smaller steps can make it easier to understand what needs to
happen next and help you get started.
Download a Task Analysis Visual Support!
Need a little help getting started? Task analysis can break everyday activities into smaller, manageable steps. We’ve created three visual guides to help you practice.
Morning Routine
The importance of using a task analysis for morning routines includes several key benefits that support independence and help create a more predictable start to the day. It promotes independence, builds confidence, and provides structure around morning activities, helping the learner understand what needs to happen next and get ready for the day.
Getting Ready for Dinner
The importance of using a task analysis for mealtime has several key benefits that support both the individual's development and the family's daily routines. This task analysis helps the learner break down the process of getting ready for dinner into smaller, manageable steps. It promotes independence, builds confidence, and provides structure around mealtime activities, helping the learner contribute to family routines in a meaningful way.
Using a Debit Card
Using a task analysis to make a purchase with a debit card can promote independence, especially in the community. This structured approach helps the learner understand the steps involved in a real-world activity, such as making a purchase. It gives them the confidence to complete transactions independently when shopping at a store or using a debit card for other services in the community.
