November 1^st to the 5^th is recognized internationally as Stress Week. This week is dedicated to raising awareness around stress prevention.

Stress is a normal response our bodies experience in certain situations and environments. Small doses of stress help us function by helping us meet deadlines, get places on time, and prepare for important events. However, consistently high levels of stress can be detrimental to our health.

Prenatal alcohol exposure causes changes to the stress pathways in the brain, which can impact how people with PAE and FASD respond to stress. Stress management is an important skill for children with FASD because a child’s ability to cope with stress can impact their physical and emotional health throughout their life.

Caregivers of people with FASD experience significantly high rates of stress, even more so than caregivers of people with other disabilities. Caregiver burnout can happen when caregivers experience increased and sustained levels of stress.

To learn more about this check out CanFASD blog International Stress Week 2021