FASD: What It Is and How to Support Teens and Adults
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is one of the most common causes of developmental disability in Australia, and one of the most often missed. Many people with FASD look no different to anyone else, so their struggles with memory, planning and impulse control are often mistaken for bad behaviour or not trying.
This guide explains FASD in plain language, what it can look like for teens and adults, what helps, how the NDIS fits in, and how we support people with FASD on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
What is FASD?
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong condition caused by brain damage from exposure to alcohol before birth. There's no known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy. FASD isn't about blame. Many people didn't know they were pregnant, or didn't have the information or support they needed.
Research published in 2025 estimates that around 3.6% of Australians may have FASD, which would make it more common than autism. NOFASD Australia describes it as the leading cause of non-genetic developmental disability in Australia.
In Australia, FASD is diagnosed by a specialist team using the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD. A diagnosis needs severe difficulties in at least three areas of brain function, such as memory, attention, language, emotional regulation or everyday living skills. Some people have particular facial features, but most don't.
What FASD can look like for teens and adults
Memory and learning. People may learn something one day and forget it the next, or find it hard to apply a skill in a new situation. Repeated mistakes often come from not remembering or not understanding, not from not caring.
Impulse control and judgement. Acting before thinking, trouble understanding consequences and being easily led by others are common, which can put people at risk.
Attention and emotions. Short attention spans, frustration and big emotional reactions can make school, work and relationships hard.
Without the right support. Teens and adults with FASD are more likely to leave school early, experience depression, have problems with alcohol or drugs, and come into contact with the justice system. With understanding and support early, these risks drop.
Strengths. People with FASD are often loving, affectionate, helpful and creative, and many have real talents in music, sport or hands-on and technical work.
What helps day to day
The biggest shift is seeing behaviour as a symptom of how the brain works. At Loving Life we think of it as "can't, not won't". From there, things that tend to help include:
Routines that stay the same, so the person doesn't have to remember as much
Short, simple instructions, one step at a time
Lots of repetition and practice in the real places where skills are needed
Reminders, checklists and phone alarms, so memory doesn't have to do all the work
Supervision and support around money, safety and peer pressure
Calm, consistent responses from everyone in the person's life
FASD and the NDIS
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder is on the NDIS's List B, a list of conditions that are likely to result in a permanent impairment. That means the NDIS generally accepts it's lifelong, but you still need evidence of how it affects everyday life. A formal FASD diagnosis and reports on memory, learning, behaviour and daily living skills all help.
Depending on the person's plan and goals, NDIS funding may include core supports for daily living and community access, capacity building for independence and life skills, therapy such as speech pathology, occupational therapy and psychology, and support to find or keep a job.
How we support people with FASD
At Loving Life, we support teens and adults with FASD on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. We take a patient, practical approach: the same routines, the same workers and lots of real-world practice until skills stick.
1:1 support. Our 1:1 NDIS support gives the person a consistent worker who understands FASD and doesn't take behaviour personally. That might be community outings, shopping, appointments, public transport or keeping a weekly routine on track.
Skill building. Through capacity building and daily living support, we practise everyday skills like cooking, budgeting and getting around, again and again. If work is a goal, our Employment Assistance program can help.
Groups. A small, well-supported group gives structure to the week and a safe place to build friendships and social skills, with workers who keep an eye out.
Gold Coast (from The Hub in Nerang and out in the community): Skill Space, our weekday day program for life skills; Social & Skills for boys and young men; Girl Squad for girls and young women aged 17 to 25; and Cook. Learn. Thrive., our cooking program in the Hub kitchen.
Sunshine Coast (from The Studio, Moffat Beach and out in the community): ThunderBolts for young adults, Fun Friday, the Craft Group, Ladies Lunch and our Men's Group.
Our groups are small and well supported, and food on group days is on us, so no one misses out. You can see what each group does on our Gold Coast groups and Sunshine Coast groups pages.
Where to find more information
NOFASD Australia runs a free, confidential helpline on 1800 860 613 for individuals, families and professionals. The FASD Hub Australia has information on diagnosis and support. We also support people with intellectual disability.
📍 Based on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast
Information current as at 8 November 2026. This post is general information, not medical advice.
Sources: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (The Kids Research Institute Australia); Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD (FASD Hub); FASD summary information sheet (FASD Hub); One child in every Australian classroom affected by FASD (University of Sydney, 2025); NOFASD Australia; List B: conditions that are likely to result in a permanent impairment (NDIS).
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