Join us to meet others with FASD throughout the province. You will see some old friends and make new friends. During these sessions, we will talk about what matters to you. We will share information and learn something new, all from the comfort of your home. Participate in the discussions at your comfort level, everyone is welcome!

Pre-Registration Required: Register now!

Please register by February 22, 2021 by contacting fasdcts@gmail.com.

Join us to learn strategies to support yourself to organize and manage your daily life.

Angela Geddes is a Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience in a variety of settings with strong knowledge of how FASD looks like across the lifespan and the impact on individuals, family and community.

Pre-Registration Required: Register now!

Participate in the discussion at your comfort level, everyone is welcome!

Based on the acclaimed work of FASD expert and published author Diane Malbin, this training series back by popular demand!

In This Webinar You Will Learn…

• About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and other brain based conditions
• The effects of pre-natal exposure to alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy.
• Best practices and how to create person-centred accommodations to increase understanding.
• How to reduce frustration and improve outcomes for children, youth and adults.

Spring 6 Part Webinar Training Open for Registration Now! Spaces are Limited!

For more information contact: fascetscanadaeast@gmail.com.

A research project evaluating a virtual Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) series for caregivers of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

ACT seeks to help individuals to struggle less with difficult things in their lives and mindfully connect with things that are most important in a way that is loving and respectful. With an introduction to the concept of mindfulness, ACT does not attempt to directly change or stop unwanted thoughts or feelings, but to develop a new mindful relationship with those experiences that can free a person up to being open, and to take action consistent with what they care about. This is a research project evaluating the benefits of ACT for caregivers.

About the Virtual Series
The virtual ACT intervention is spread over 4 consecutive Wednesday evenings followed by a refresher evening session, held 4 weeks later.

About the Facilitators
Two facilitators are caregivers of a child with FASD and the other facilitator is a health care professional.

Who Should Attend?
Primary caregivers of individuals with FASD.

Dates & Times
Wednesday March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21 & May 19: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Virtually via WebEx
*You must attend all dates

Want more information?
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP1HFpw_3aY&feature=youtu.be
Articles: http://rdcu.be/I6jT & https://bit.ly/2tSUbcZ

Interested?
Contact: ACT.Research@camh.ca

Becoming Trauma-Informed: How Understanding Leads to Efficacy and Hope

Dr. McLeod will describe the impact of trauma on the developing brain and present a model for better understanding how neurodevelopment, attachment and regulation are related. Responding to some of the most challenging behaviour in children and youth, and how to best advocate for individuals with FASD will be explored.

Breakout sessions:

• Confabulation: When Lying Isn’t Lying
  with Nate Sheets
• Gaining Traction: Professionals and Caregivers Working Together to Improve Outcomes
  with Laurie Whyte
• Screen Time, Sexting & Safety – Promoting Digital Health and Wellbeing for Children and Families
  with Dr. Michelle Ponti
• Digging Deeper into Trauma and Regulation
  with Dr. Kristen McLeod
• Understanding and Managing Sleep for Children with FASD
  with Dr. Ana Hanlon-Dearman
• Education & Treatment for Individuals who Engage in Concerning Sexual Behaviours
  with Tiffany Charbonneau & Christa Outhwaite-Salmon
• Medication Algorithm for Individuals with FASD
  with Dr. Mansfield Mela

FREE For Parents and Caregivers on May 18, 2021 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Surviving the Storm: A Caregiver Evening with Dr. McLeod
An intimate session offered to parents and caregivers where Dr. McLeod will cover common topics of self-care, advocacy, building resilience and recognizing one’s own triggers as it relates to supporting individuals with FASD.

Breathe & Blossom is a mindfulness meditation and yoga program designed for individuals ages 12-29 with a Developmental Disability (DD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Facilitated by trained mindfulness meditation and yoga practitioners, individuals will learn to connect to their mind, body and breath. This program uses innovated modifications to mindfulness meditation and traditional yoga to accommodate individuals of all abilities.

Thanks to the MLSE Foundation’s support, Breathe & Blossom is FREE to participants.

Note: This program will not run on May 24.

Science, Knowledge, and Experience: A Shared Journey

Join us for a comprehensive day of virtual learning, including:

• keynote addresses from Canadian field leaders
• current findings and implications of FASD research
• strategies for evidence-based treatment
• interactive knowledge exchange during a choice of breakout educational workshops
• regional resources, supports, and services for families and individuals with FASD
• personal accounts of lived experiences

Save the date – Registration opens in August

Health Nexus is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the new FASD Service Provider Training!

If you wish to learn more about this training, register for the webinar! An English webinar will be hosted on April 6, 2021.

Developed by Health Nexus and funded by the Government of Ontario, this training will provide service providers from multiple sectors (healthcare and public health, childcare and education, mental health and addictions, justice and corrections, community-based work, etc.) with FASD-informed strategies to support individuals with FASD and their families.

This training is comprised of four 60-minute modules, each addressing pressing needs such as gaps in knowledge, misdiagnosis, the relevance of evidence-based intervention practices, nurturing hope among individuals, caregivers, and professionals while shifting everyday practice to an FASD-informed approach.

1. Why Should We Be Concerned
2.  The Cost of Misdiagnosis
3.  Trauma and Resilience and Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
4. Opportunities for Success

For more information, please reach out to Hiltrud Dawson at h.dawson@healthnexus.ca.

Health Nexus is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the new FASD Service Provider Training!

If you wish to learn more about this training, register for the webinar! A French webinar will be hosted on April 7, 2021.

Developed by Health Nexus and funded by the Government of Ontario, this training will provide service providers from multiple sectors (healthcare and public health, childcare and education, mental health and addictions, justice and corrections, community-based work, etc.) with FASD-informed strategies to support individuals with FASD and their families.

This training is comprised of four 60-minute modules, each addressing pressing needs such as gaps in knowledge, misdiagnosis, the relevance of evidence-based intervention practices, nurturing hope among individuals, caregivers, and professionals while shifting everyday practice to an FASD-informed approach.

1. Why Should We Be Concerned
2.  The Cost of Misdiagnosis
3.  Trauma and Resilience and Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
4. Opportunities for Success

For more information, please reach out to Hiltrud Dawson at h.dawson@healthnexus.ca.

FASD workers Eric Marier, Randy White/Kebeyaawsung, Chrysta Wood, Cereena Rows, Liane Guenette, and Kim Stewart will present information about the ten brain domains that may be affected by FASD.

During breakout sessions, caregivers will discuss scenarios based on common challenges, examine how these challenges relate to the ten brain domains and learn positive responses to these challenges. The discussion will also explain how to identify symptoms of FASD, provide recommendations for support and help families see the benefits of focusing on their child’s strengths.

This event will feature content relevant to residents of Northern Ontario, including Thunder Bay, Greater Sudbury-Grand Sudbury, Manitoulin, Sudbury, Cochrane Temiskaming, Kenora, Rainy River, James Bay Coast, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Muskoka and Algoma.

Speaker: Nate Sheets

People with FASD’s navigate a world that does not understand their brains. While parents try many therapies and approaches, it is hard to find effective and practical strategies to help their children learn, connect, and safely engage with others. In this presentation, FASD consultant Nate Sheets walks participants through practical strategies they can begin to use right away, as well as tips on how to avoid unhelpful strategies and responsive while supporting someone with an FASD.

Click here for the event flyer.

FASD workers Eric Marier, Dawn Miller and Victoria Gillan will present information about the ten brain domains that may be affected by FASD.

During breakout sessions, caregivers will discuss scenarios based on common challenges, examine how these challenges relate to the ten brain domains and learn positive responses to these challenges. The discussion will also explain how to identify symptoms of FASD, provide recommendations for support and help families see the benefits of focusing on their child’s strengths.

This event will feature content relevant to residents of Eastern Ontario, including Ottawa/Prescott-Russell/Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Renfrew, Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox, Addington, Hastings, Prince Edward and Northumberland.

Children with FASD of all ages may exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviours.

• All children and adolescents are curious about sexuality but individuals with FASD may need extra support learning about healthy sexuality for very complex reasons.
• They may have difficulty interpreting social cues from others.
• Caregivers may worry that their children and youths with FASD have difficulty understanding social boundaries, even with strangers.
• Children with FASD are highly tactile and may expose or explore their bodies at inappropriate times.
• Individuals with FASD may be vulnerable to harmful influences from others.

Pascal Gagné will explain indicators, as well as strategies for caregivers.

Pre-Registration Required: cathy.gales@fccniagara.on.ca or
cathy@contactniagara.org

This session is suited for caregivers who identify as Indigenous anywhere in the province.

FASD workers Eric Marier, Randy White/ Kebeyaawsung, Chrysta Wood, Kim Stewart, Cereena Rows and Liane Guenette will present information about the ten brain domains that may be affected by FASD.

During breakout sessions, caregivers will discuss scenarios based on common challenges, examine how these challenges relate to the ten brain domains and learn positive responses to these challenges. The discussion will also explain how to identify symptoms of FASD, provide recommendations for support and help families see the benefits of focusing on their child’s strengths.

This event will feature content relevant to the broader indigenous community of Ontario.

Speaker: Barb Clark

Traditional consequence-based behavioral intervention strategies are often ineffective with individuals with an FASD and can lead to turmoil in the family, school or community setting. Trauma-informed approaches respond to the neuro-behavioral aspect behind the behavior; more effective, but requiring intention and effort hard to implement. Come learn responses to challenging behaviors that promote relationship and healing, creating an environment in which individuals with an FASD reduce anxiety and increase capacity.

Click here for the event flyer.