A two-day conference with a number of keynotes and educational sessions.

Keynote speakers include: Myles Himmelreich, Jennifer Saltzman-Benaiah, Robert Solomon and Geraldine Crisci.

Topics for educational sessions include:

• FASD Educational Strategies and Practices
• Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and their Pharmacological Management
• Community Development: How Simcoe County created and maintains the FASD Community Initiative within the County
• A Model for Collaborative Training for FASD
• Women with Substance
• Responding to Risk Needs: Providing Education and Treatment for Individuals with FASD who engage in Concerning Sexual Behaviours
• Troubled: Justice and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Download the brochure to register or contact patty.barnes@mackenziehealth.ca for more information.

This presentation contains a general overview of the cause of FASD, its primary and secondary characteristics, and possible advantages of early diagnosis and intervention. The participants will learn the unique challenges and strategies faced by parents and caregivers of children with FASD. It discusses the importance of understanding the social context of FASD, alcohol, and pregnancy, and family dynamics. There will be information on the impact of drugs discussed. Our need as a community to have respect and support for biological parents and individuals dealing with this condition will also be discussed.

This one-day workshop with Kim Barthel will provide an understanding of the integrated neurobiology of sensory processing and emotional/relational problems
that result in “challenging behaviour”.

Participants will be invited to forevermore become behavioural detectives, using clinical reasoning, to look deeper than the surface. By seeking to understand why people do the things we do, from a myriad of perspectives, we allow compassion into the equation. This alone changes the brain – but the mindset of clinical curiosity supports treatment strategies at home, at school and in all levels of relationships.

Four webinars will take place to help users make the most of the FASD Ontario website. Note that the daytime ones are intended for service providers and evening sessions are for parents and caregivers. The webinars will be recorded.

• (French) Le site Web TSAF Ontario – Webinaire pour les intervenants
  Thursday, June 6, 2019  – 1:30-2:30 PM EDT
• (French) Le site Web TSAF Ontario – Webinaire pour les parents et aidants
  Thursday, June 6, 2019  – 19:00-20:00 EDT
• (English) The FASD Ontario Website – Webinar for Service Providers
  Wed, Jun 12, 2019 – 1:30-2:30 PM EDT
• (English) The FASD Ontario Website – Webinar for Parents and Caregivers
  Wed, Jun 12, 2019 – 7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT

Jeff Noble is a world-wide leader who delivers relevant, useful and need-to-know information to help and support front-line workers, educators and caregivers (parents/grandparents) of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

A research project evaluating Acceptance & Commitment Training (ACT) for female caregivers of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

The ACT intervention is spread over 1 evening followed by a full day and a “refresher” evening session, held 4 weeks later. It is required that you attend all three dates.

Understand the cognitive struggles and strengths of those with FASD, learn principles, and gain tools to support them.

Nate Sheets is an international FASD behaviour consultant, speaker, and advocate from Oregon, US. He has a decade of experience in the developmental disability field and helps families, schools, mental health programs, and government agencies understand the needs of people with FASD. Nate takes neuropsychology concepts and finds practical ways to apply them to challenging behaviours in a way that values the dignity and respect of all people involved.

Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is a proven strategy for improving pregnancy outcomes for women who are using a variety of substances.

Key questions to be addressed:  How should the community be involved in establishing an SBIRT system for pregnant women?  What is the role of the primary prenatal care provider? What is the best way to screen for substance use in pregnancy?  What good does toxicology testing serve, and what methodology is best?  What defines successful medication-assisted treatment in pregnancy?  What are the key barriers to establishing a fully functioning prenatal SBIRT system?  What responsibilities do prenatal care providers have in establishing a plan of safe care, as required by federal CARA legislation?

Why this is important:  Science tells us that SBIRT strategies are an effective and efficient means of prevention; however, widespread racial and social class bias as well as an inherent bias against women who use substances during pregnancy propel the call for punitive approaches that drive women out of prenatal care.  A successful SBIRT system will significantly reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality and drive down health care costs.

The newly appointed Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. James Reynolds, will speak with the Hastings and Prince Edward County FASD Care Giver Support Group on April 18 to share his research on the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing brain. During the workshop, he will also explore the resulting cognitive, behavioural and socio-emotional deficits that may occur in children when the developing prenatal brain is exposed to alcohol include a discussion on the impact of treatment and developing community awareness of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing brain. This workshop is for parents, teachers, therapists, doctors and respite support workers. Find out more: bit.ly/2Z404CP