FASD has been my passion for the past 7 years. I can't pin-point the exact moment that I was hooked, but now, I thirst for information. I am fortunate to have personal relationships with some of the leading professionals in the community, and it might be this that motivates me to learn more.
FASD is an umbrella term, used to describe the wide-range of effects to a fetus, due to a mother's alcohol consumption during pregnancy. FASD is defined as having both primary and secondary characteristics, FASD is not exclusive to gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, geographic region, it affects all people across all socio-economic backgrounds. According to Health Canada, FASD is the most prevalent birth defect in Canada, and is the only one that is totally preventable.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Definition from Health Canada:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the term used to describe the range of effects caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. Health Canada estimates that approximately 9 in every 1,000 infants are born with FASD.
Some children with FASD have physical disabilities, but many of the effects are not visible and may include problems with learning, memory, attention, problem solving, behaviour, vision and hearing. They may not understand social situations and their behaviour is often interpreted as problematic, rather than a symptom of an underlying condition.
Children with FASD do best when their individual strengths are recognized and built upon in a supportive environment adapted to meet their needs.
Through partnerships between government, health authorities, school districts and community organizations, many community-based initiatives are occurring throughout British Columbia in the areas of prevention, assessment and diagnosis and support
Some of the most helpful FASD Resources I have found:
Whitecrow Village FASD Society- Whitecrow offers unique training, camps, and education programs with a focus on experiential exercises. Their understanding of FASD is unprecedented.
FASSTAR and FASCRC- These are sites run by mom, Teresa Kellerman. Teresa has incredible insight and experience with FASD, and has developed hundreds of brochures and articles that explain everything she has experienced. Teresa is also an incredible connector and researcher, and has compiled information from other cutting-edge professionals in the FASD community. This simple website contains more valuable information than any other I have found. There are worksheets, stories, strategies, supports, and general information about how FASD affects all aspects of life. This site is especially useful for parents, and encourages parent advocacy. If you only read one article, let it be this one, The Visible Teen, a first-person perspective on being a teen affected by FASD.
FASD Connections- Jan Lutke is another mother, who has tirelessly advocated and supported her family of FASD youth. Jan has a strong connection with leading behavioural consultant Dr. Nathan Ory, who's insights and strategies have been so helpful to me over the years. Jan is a hands-on advocate, and an amazing supporter of families affected by FASD. Click on the "Feature Articles" link for an impressive list of helpful articles.
The Assante Center- TAC offers diagnostic, assessment and family support services, based on a multidisciplinary team approach, for children, youth and adults affected by FASD. Their website is also full of information, including a section devoted to youth and teens who are affected.
There are many many many more resources out there, and I encourage you to share them in the comments, or send them to me so they can be added. I chose these because whenever I need information, brochures, or education, I can find what I need on one of these sites.
