FASD: Support for those affected is guaranteed
An estimated 1.5 million people in Germany live with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These lifelong impairments result from alcohol consumption during pregnancy and can cause, among other things, memory, perception, and behavioral problems. Nevertheless, only a few of those affected receive an early diagnosis and, consequently, the support they need to lead as independent a life as possible.
This is where the BINE counseling and information network comes in. It was established by the nonprofit association LIVE Soziale Chancen and has been supporting children, adolescents, family members, and foster families for three years. Thanks to funding from the Software AG – SAGST Foundation, the program—which focuses on Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland—will be secured through 2026, until public follow-up funding can take effect starting in 2027.
Inclusion Instead of Exclusion
The specialized counseling center operates primarily on a mobile basis and offers low-threshold counseling directly on-site. In addition, training courses are conducted for professionals in education, youth services, and medicine. The goal is to promote understanding of the unique life circumstances of children with FASD and to establish sustainable support structures. To this end, BINE cooperates closely with youth welfare offices, specialized services, and self-help initiatives. In the future, services are also to be expanded to include affected adults and supplemented with digital formats.
Many children and adolescents with FASD grow up in foster families or child and youth welfare facilities. Without appropriate support, they often encounter conflicts at school or in their social environment—thereby increasing the risk of dropping out of school and social exclusion. “In addition to individual counseling, BINE also supports self-help groups and peer-led programs for those affected—this resource-oriented approach particularly impressed us,” emphasizes project manager Jens Maurer. “This creates spaces where experiences can be shared and personal strengths discovered.”
