Home / Health / Nova Scotia FASD Support Lags Behind Provinces
Nova Scotia FASD Support Lags Behind Provinces
30 Apr
Summary
- FASD impacts approximately 4% of Canadians, often undiagnosed.
- Nova Scotia parents struggle to find adequate FASD support.
- New Brunswick offers dedicated FASD services and funding.
Families in Nova Scotia are calling for improved support for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a lifelong disability impacting approximately four percent of Canadians. Advocacy groups like Fetal Alcohol Nova Scotia (FANS) report that parents often have to fight for services due to a lack of provincial strategy and dedicated funding. This situation contrasts sharply with New Brunswick, which provides substantial support through its FASD Centre of Excellence, including diagnosis and a range of services.
Parents like Rochelle Howlett and Jeremiah Dixon's family express concerns about the lack of a safety net in Nova Scotia, leading them to seek support elsewhere. They advocate for a comprehensive provincial strategy and dedicated funding to address the gaps in services, which they argue would save costs in education, justice, and health sectors in the long term. Provincial government officials state they are reviewing recommendations to enhance integrated services and supports for individuals with FASD.
