This year’s CanFASD International Research Conference reinforced what many of us have known for years: To truly support individuals and families, we must acknowledge prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) when discussing trauma and attachment.

Researchers Dr. Alan Price and Dr. Raja Mukherjee presented groundbreaking findings confirming that when PAE is ignored, individuals are often misunderstood, and caregivers are unfairly blamed. Their work highlights that many behavioural and emotional challenges are symptoms of brain-based differences, not intentional acts or relational deficits.

Angela Geddes also shared reflections from her one-on-one conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed models to explicitly include PAE in both assessment and intervention.

“These are symptoms, not choices. Families deserve understanding, not blame.” — Angela Geddes

The week concluded at Queen’s Park with meaningful conversations among MPPs eager to advance coordinated, compassionate systems change — ensuring every person has the right to thrive.

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