International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day

The 9th day of the 9th month is globally acknowledged as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, and the whole of September is now known as FASD Awareness Month.

FASD is the leading preventable developmental disability in Australia, which occurs due to prenatal alcohol exposure. People with FASD can experience challenges such as physical and emotional developmental delay; impaired speech and language development; learning problems, such as issues with memory and attention; and difficulty controlling behaviour.

The Red Shoes Rock campaign was started by RJ Formanek, an adult living with FASD, who decided to wear red shoes to stand out, and start conversations about what is an invisible disability.

Old Treasury Building will be lit in red for this event from sunrise to sunset.