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The internet makes it easy to share ideas and learn new things. But sometimes, it also leads to people spreading hurtful or wrong information. One big problem we’re seeing is people guessing if celebrities or famous people have disabilities like Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) — just by looking at them in photos or videos.

Last year, actress Reese Witherspoon talked about people online saying her child might have FASD. When she spoke up, many people searched online to learn more about it. But a lot of the talk on social media was based on guesses, not facts.

Why It’s a Problem to Guess Someone Has a Disability

Some internet users look at how a celebrity looks or acts and try to guess if they have a medical condition like FASD. They have done this with people like Greta Thunberg, Bella Ramsey, Kylie Jenner, and Chrisean Rock. These guesses are sometimes made to make fun of people, which can hurt others who really have FASD.

This is a problem because:

  • Making jokes or wrong guesses spreads lies and makes things harder for people who live with FASD every day.
  • FASD is complicated. Only trained doctors can tell if someone has it.
  • You can’t tell just by looking at someone.

What is FASD?

FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. It happens when a baby is exposed to alcohol before birth. People with FASD may have challenges with learning, memory, or behavior. Some may have small facial differences, but this only happens in a few cases.

Everyone with FASD is different. Some people have many strengths and just need extra support to do well in school, at work, or in life.

In Canada, we use the term FASD because it includes all the different ways alcohol before birth can affect someone — not just the most visible signs.

Why Online Comments Can Be Harmful

When people guess that a celebrity has FASD, it can cause real harm. Here’s why:

  • It spreads wrong information. FASD is already misunderstood, and guessing about it makes that worse.
  • It’s unfair. Judging people by how they look or act is hurtful and unfair.
  • It ignores real people. People with FASD and their families deal with real challenges, and turning that into a joke or debate isn’t respectful.

What we can do instead?

It’s normal to be curious about famous people, but we shouldn’t guess if someone has a medical condition. Instead, we should:

  • Learn about FASD from trusted sources.
  • Speak up if we see people making fun of others or spreading false ideas.
  • Focus on helping people understand what FASD really is.

If you care about people with FASD, talk to others about it. Teach people what it really means. Ask your leaders to support more help and education for people living with FASD. The more we know, the kinder and more respectful we can be.

Source: Canfasdblog May 2025.  (Modified from the article: The Dangers of Online Trends: FASD and Celebrity Speculation)