Fetal Alcohol Resource Program
Many Canadians and Americans are living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Although FASD is present from birth, individuals are often not diagnosed until later in life when symptoms related to learning challenges and a range of social problems emerge.
The Fetal Alcohol Resource Program aims to support the large numbers of people affected by this permanent brain injury. Through education and community leadership development the program draws together resources, skills and knowledge that exists and provides community navigation for individuals affected by FASD and their families.
Community Development
We are presently contacting community agencies to gather information about services for people affected by FASD. Contact us if you would like to be added to the database.
Our team will also be happy to assist existing resources build their capacity to respond to and support individuals affected by FASD and their families.
Education Workshops
Education to professionals (including health, education, justice, law enforcement, corrections, child welfare and social services).
Objectives:
- To build knowledge and capacity in the community.
- To equip service providers with the tools and resources they require to provide services for individuals with FASD.
One-Hour Workshops
Provide cost and time effective education opportunities by offering a series of one-hour workshops on the following topics:
Building a toolbox of practical strategies.
FASD 101 – The facts about FASD. Making a paradigm shift from willful bad behavior to brain injury.
FASD, lost in the alphabet soup. Recognizing the red flags. What does FASD look like across the life span?
Through an FASD Lens: Rethinking treatment approaches and service delivery. Trying differently not harder.
The Art of Sensory Assessment with an FASD lens.
Full-Day Workshop
A full day FASD workshop is designed to enable in-depth learning on foundational topics that impact your field of service delivery (E.g. Education, health, law enforcement, corrections, child welfare, and social services).
Sample Agenda:
- Introduction to FASD – The facts about FASD. Making a paradigm shift from willful bad behavior to brain injury.
- FASD, lost in the alphabet soup. Recognizing the red flags. What does FASD look like across the life span?
- Through an FASD Lens: Rethinking treatment approaches and service delivery within your agency. Trying differently not harder.
- Building a toolbox of practical strategies. How to build and implement an external brain.
Community Navigation
Community navigation by providing coordinated access to support services to individuals affected by FASD
We are in the process of compiling a database of FASD resources available in Ottawa. Please let us know if there are services that have been useful to you or if there have been gaps in service when you have been trying to find support.
Partners
Funding and support for the project is provided by Citizen Advocacy Ottawa, NeuroDevNet, Children’s Aid Society, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and donor-directed funds through the Community Foundation of Ottawa.
Upcoming Workshops
To be determined…
“People can’t see it physically because it affects the brain. They see me as impatient and frustrated … somebody that needs more assistance than the average person who has no disabilities. I see myself as someone trying to break the stereotype of someone with a developmental disability and to show the world that just because you have a disability doesn’t mean there should be limits to what you can and can’t do.”Caroline Joanisse
Living with FASD
“We are excited about what the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program offers and their on-going efforts to educate people. It’s a comfort knowing we are not alone and this organization is there to support and advocate for those affected who, sadly, are often misunderstood. It’s crucial this organization continues its awareness campaign and significant work, in order for this population to succeed.”Brenda Boylan
Parent
FASD FACTS
What is FASD
FASD is a medical diagnosis that describes the range of effects that can occur when prenatally exposed to alcohol:
- An array of complex neurodevelopmental disorders
- Lifelong physical complications
- Mental and behavioural difficulties
- Learning challenges
FASD is an invisible physical disability and the behaviours displayed are symptoms.
Why is Alcohol so Dangerous?
Alcohol is a neurotoxin and a teratogen. Both are substances that interfere with the normal development of a fetus and can cause cell dehydration/death, slow growth and birth defects.
One hundred per cent of the alcohol consumed crosses the placenta each and every time. With the full concentration of alcohol consumed remaining in the amniotic fluid up to three days. A fetus does not have a fully functioning liver so it is unable to eliminate alcohol from the environment. The Institute of Medicine reports that “of all substances (including cocaine, marijuana and heroin), alcohol produces by far, the most serious neurobehavioural effects to the fetus.”
Alcohol’s Impact on the Brain
Normal fetal brain development is orderly and sequential allowing the development of rich neural networks that link, integrate and associate.
Alcohol exposure during pregnancy results in changes to the developing brain at both the neurochemical and structural levels. A typical FASD brain has areas of undergrowth, overgrowth, gaps and tangles. Fewer brain cells alter brain chemistry and structure so basic cognitive and sensory responses are affected.
What we Know about FASD
Often brain changes are not detected until a child reaches early or middle school age when problems at school and at home become increasingly apparent. The damage done to the brain is permanent. It cannot be cured. Individuals with FASD will require some level of support for the rest of their lives.
Links
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a guideline for diagnosis across the lifespan
FASD National Screening Toolkit
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder & Justice
Alcohol Use and Pregnancy Consensus Clinical Guidelines
NeuroDevnet-Trans-Canada initiative studying children’s brain development
FASD ONE (Ontario Network of Expertise)
Public Health Agency of Canada