About Emily
Emily Hargrove was diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) at the age of one, receiving a life-long, full-body diagnosis from Vanderbilt Clinic. Despite a grim prognosis from doctors, who believed she would likely never succeed in school, Emily drew strength from her faith, believing that God always has something bigger in store for each of us. She decided to become more than a statistic and now uses her voice to empower others who have felt disenfranchised, leveraging her God-given love of learning to research the very condition with which she has been diagnosed.
As a member of the International Adult Leadership Collaborative of the FASD Changemakers (ALC), Emily partners with changemakers across the globe to strengthen the voices of adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and create inclusive environments while mitigating stigma. In 2020, she co-authored an article published in the Routledge Handbook of Social Work and Addictive Behaviors on the chronic healthcare implications of adults with FASD.
Since 2008, Emily has traveled as an educator, self-advocate, and speaker, sharing her personal story of adoption, faith, FASD, and resilience, as well as her research. She is a founding member of Self-Advocates with an FASD in Action (SAFA) and a former expert panel member for SAMHSA’s FASD Center for Excellence. Emily has also partnered with state affiliates of FASD United and the Arc of the United States, developing and facilitating presentations and training for various audiences.
Currently, Emily is partnering with the University of Rochester and fellow ALC members to develop an app aimed at helping adults with FASD manage their health. The ALC’s second study on FASD and quality of life is currently being published in the peer-reviewed journal, Disabilities. She is also the President of the Board of The FASD Collaborative Project.
Emily graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Psychology and Counseling, minoring in Christian Ministries (B.S.). She holds a Master’s of Philosophy in Psychology (M.Phil.) and is currently a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (Ph.D.) candidate with a dissertation focus on FASD and spiritual development. For five years, she volunteered at a family crisis center as a mentor and group facilitator, receiving training in sexual abuse counseling, post-abortive counseling, and the L.O.V.E. Approach. Emily is a certified affiliate and member of the American Philosophical Practitioner Association (APPA) as a philosophical counselor.
For seven years, Emily and her husband Jace served as youth pastors, igniting the fire within their students. She has a love for the Spanish language and a heart for the people of Mexico, having returned to the same village on mission trips for many years. Emily also serves on a local Miss America Scholarship Pageant board, guiding young women to lead through fostering interview skills, resume building, and instilling the value of service.
In her spare time, when she is not working on her dissertation or chasing her two-year-old, Emily enjoys studying complementary and alternative approaches to well-being. This passion is reflected in her professional work as a chiropractic assistant/massage therapist, her interest in Native American/holistic remedies, and her pursuit of philosophy as a mode of healing. She also enjoys playing classical piano and the Native American flute, and being outdoors, particularly horseback riding, which she developed a love for growing up on a farm. Emily and her husband are expecting their second child in September of 2024.
