WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of disabilities that can occur in an individual who was exposed to alcohol before birth; and

WHEREAS, FASD can cause challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, growth, cognition, and adaptive function, and it can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic background; and

WHEREAS, FASD is often accompanied by medical conditions that impact quality of life; and

WHEREAS, FASD affects as many as 1 in 20 school-aged children in the United States and is a complex, lifelong condition that affects each person differently, resulting in unique challenges and significant lifetime costs; and

WHEREAS, studies estimate that the lifetime cost for one individual with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a diagnosis on the FASD spectrum, averages about $2 million; and

WHEREAS, early diagnosis and interventions tailored to individual needs can have lifelong benefits, easing the transition to adulthood and fostering greater independence; and

WHEREAS, although FASD is entirely preventable through alcohol-free pregnancies, effective prevention must be paired with robust support and intervention for individuals already living with the condition; and

WHEREAS, this dual approach is especially critical, because in 2022, 11 percent of mothers in Virginia reported consuming alcohol during pregnancy, underscoring the ongoing need for education, early diagnosis, and lifelong care; and

WHEREAS, human service organizations, health care professionals, educators, and the public are called to action to work together to better understand and support individuals with FASD; and

WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day promotes increased awareness of how FASD may present across the lifespan and the ongoing need for services and supports for individuals living with FASD, while also reinforcing that there is no known safe amount, type, or time to consume alcohol during pregnancy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 9, 2025, as FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.