#United States #Bothell #Hope RISING Clinic #FASD #Prenatal Exposure

Addressing the Challenges of Prenatal Substance Exposure

A recent piece spotlighted a child's journey living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). However, it framed this condition as rare, which could not be further from the truth. The reality is that FASD and Prenatal Substance Exposure (PSE) impact a staggering number of children across various backgrounds.

In Washington State alone, over 165,000 children are believed to be affected by FASD or PSE. This exposure can occur due to the consumption of alcohol or other substances during pregnancy, and it transcends socioeconomic barriers—effecting families in every part of our communities. Alarmingly, research indicates that PSE is four times more frequent than autism, yet it frequently goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed.

These children are not isolated incidents; they are part of our schools and neighborhoods, and they come with their own unique challenges. Many children do not receive an official diagnosis until they reach adolescence or even adulthood, which often results in a lack of early intervention and support. With the right assistance, however, children impacted by PSE can foster meaningful relationships, develop vital skills, and flourish alongside their peers.

Shifting the Narrative

To ignite meaningful change, we must alter the narrative surrounding PSE. Society often focuses on the stigma, blame, and shame associated with the conditions, instead of prioritizing the needs of children and families living with these challenges. At Hope Rising Clinic, a division of Wonderland Child & Family Services, our mission embodies the principle that a child's diagnosis is secondary to their right to receive compassionate care and long-term support.

Sensationalizing such diagnoses fails to drive the necessary understanding and change. What we want is to highlight that PSE is a cerebral disability—one that deserves adequate education, funding, and systemic backing to improve the lives of those affected.

Our clinic regularly assists children who have experienced PSE and helps families navigate the convoluted and often misguided care systems. What these families need is empathy rather than judgment, and connection rather than confusion. They deserve a cohesive network of support that considers the entirety of the child rather than just the diagnosis.

A Growing Epidemic

PSE is not an obscure issue—it is an ongoing, pressing epidemic that has been overshadowed in our post-pandemic climate, especially in light of recent Medicaid cuts. We call upon funders, policymakers, healthcare systems, and community leaders to stop overlooking this urgent issue. Immediate action must focus on early detection, providing trauma-informed care, educating professionals, and amplifying the voices of families who are underrepresented and need support.

These children are not simply problems to be solved; they harbor immense potential. It is our duty—be it as a community, state, or society—to uplift their voices and do better by them.

About Hope Rising Clinic

Founded in 2019, the Hope Rising Clinic specializes in providing care to children and families affected by prenatal substance exposure. Our approach combines trauma-informed care with comprehensive support structures to address not only the developmental and behavioral requirements of children suffering from PSE but also to offer family-centric programs that yield lasting positive outcomes. To learn more about our initiatives, visit hoperisingclinic.org.

For inquiries, contact:
Claire Lee
Senior Marketing Specialist
Phone: 425-281-5653
Email: [email protected]