What do we need in the FASD community in Massachusetts and the US?  We need everything, right?  We do not have any big diagnostic centers with many doctors ready and available to see patients, and willing to look at FASD.  We don’t have centers with FASD Specialists.  We don’t have treatment centers.  Therapists, School staff and behavioral specialists are not well informed or knowledgable about strategies to support people with FASD.  We are in search of help and support every day.  

You may or may not be aware, but in the state of Massachusetts, the definition of developmental disability is not the same as the Federal one.  Some of the differences mean that individuals with rare conditions like Cerebral Palsy, Low Incidence Conditions like hard of hearing and visually impairment, and FASD are not eligible for DDS services after age 18.   That means a lack of support that is desperately needed.   There is a bill moving through the Mass. legislation now called An Act Relative to Persons With Developmental Disabilities S122 H261 that would change the law, making it exactly the same as the Federal definition.  

The time to act on this legislation is NOW., partly because it is always so important, but also because here in Massachusetts, the bill is moving along, and will be heard in the committee on Health Care Finance by next week.

Please help us support this legislation.  Go to our website at www.massFAS.org and go to our advocates page to see a sample letter and list of legislators to contact.  Flood the inboxes, call or leave messages about this! We need your help now!!!

OK, now that is our local issue, now onto the entire country!