FASDs: a hidden reality

Explaining what it means to have a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is no easy task. The wide diversity of these conditions, in terms of the severity of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms, means that no two cases are alike. However, this small sample offers a glimpse into some of the experiences and concerns of families who have had to learn what they were facing with limited information and resources.

For many years, Spain was one of the leading countries receiving adoptions of children from Russia and Ukraine. According to the study "Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Children Adopted from Russia and Ukraine in Catalonia ," half of the children from these countries have some degree of FASD.

This is the case of Dària, Max, and Kirill. All three have varying degrees of impairment and, along with their families, are striving to move forward and integrate into society to the fullest extent of their abilities. We met the children and their families—all of them brave and resilient—to gain an overview of what it means to live with a FASD, the challenges they have faced, and their hopes for the future.

This testimony is made possible thanks to the Association of Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (AFASAF).