A Call to Action: Advancing Essential Services and Research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Report of the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect

In 2004, the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect, coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, established a working group committed to addressing the needs of individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) and their families. The culmination of this working group’s discussions and Task Force deliberations is reflected in this Call to Action report. The document highlights ten recommendations to improve and expand efforts regarding early identification, diagnostic services, and quality research on interventions for individuals with FASDs and their families. Additional background information is provided to support these recommendations and to further educate readers on the topic of FASDs, progress to date, and what still needs to be done to support individuals with FASDs. The intent of this report is to guide federal, state and local agencies, researchers and clinicians, family support groups, and other partners on actions needed to advance essential services for individuals with FASDs and their families and to promote continued intervention research efforts.