Taylor A.

Taylor A. is a 17 year old teenager with FASD, who was born in Vermont in June 1992. He was put up for adoption by his birth mother, who was an alcoholic, and was adopted the next day by his current parents. Unlike others with an FASD, he does not have any of the facial characteristics that are attributed to the disorder. Others sometimes find it hard to believe that he has a disability because he is verbally and literarily proficient, funny, outgoing, caring, and very smart.

What many do not know are all of the things that lie beneath the surface. He exhibits almost all of the behavioral and mental symptoms of FASD, and has struggled with them his whole life. He has also had problems with skipping school. However, if you spent one day with Taylor one would realize none of that is who he really is.

Taylor recently spoke with NOFAS Program Manager Brianna Montgomery.

Brianna Montgomery: Welcome Taylor. Thank you for participating in this interview with me. I look forward to learning more about you. First question, how does FASD affect your life?

Taylor A.: FASD has affected my life socially, mentally, academically, and caused strain in my family, yet has also benefited me in a strange way.

BM: What do you believe needs to be done to address FASD in the community and among experts in the field?

TA: FASD needs to be addressed in the same way that AIDS, cancer, and other diseases like those are being addressed, which is with a fervor.

BM: Next, as an individual with FASD, how important is it to you to educate others about the disorder?

TA: Educating others about FASD is one of my top three priorities in life.

BM: So what have you done to educate your friends and peers?

TA: I have spoken out to my peers, written papers for classes, and used other ways of communication to get my message across.

BM: That’s great that you are so passionate about helping others understand FASD.

BM: Next question, what skills have you developed to overcome the challenges of having FASD that could benefit other individuals living with the disorder?

TA: I am verbally and literarily proficient, I am determined, outgoing, caring, and I will do anything within my abilities to advocate for myself and others in need.

BM: Now for a more of a special, fun question, what are some of your personal interests?

TA: Some of my personal interests include baseball and other sports, history (mainly the WWII era), computers, engineering, reading, and like most other kids my age, video games.

BM: One last question, in closing, what do you want others to know about FASD?

TA: I want others to know how devastating FASD really is, how deeply it affects a person and those around them, and also I want them to remember a small phrase:“My name is Taylor, and I am going to prove FASD does NOT define me.” So you can see that I am not going to give in, and that there is a fighting chance for those of us with FASD to succeed.

BM: That’s a wonderful attitude to have. Thank you so much for participating in this interview. It was wonderful to learn more about you and get insight into your life.

TA: Thank you.