Past Events

In this panel discussion, you will hear family & caregivers discuss their experience of parenting a child/adult with FASD. They will share the joys and challenges of supporting their child’s unique needs. Conversations will address a variety of subjects including diagnosis, support networks, advocacy, clinical services, community programs, respite, and government benefits that can assist in caring for a person with FASD.

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and their caregivers, report high levels of stress, yet are often excluded from typical mental health and support services. This has been recognized by the Ontario Government’s FASD provincial initiatives of which investment in Family/Caregiver Support Group Project is one priority. In response to this, we have worked with the FASD community to support the development and delivery of support group activities aimed to enhance their overall wellbeing. For this presentation, we will discuss the importance of FASD-informed facilitation, working with parents/caregivers in all aspects of planning, community collaboration and capacity building, mitigating risk, continuous quality improvement, and reducing barriers to service.

We will highlight an initiative that , involved scientists and researchers from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and the University Health Network working together with Health Nexus and advisors. This group co-delivered a brief caregiver Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) intervention to caregivers of individuals with FASD. The overall goal of this intervention was to improve the mental health and wellbeing of female caregivers of people with FASD. We will discuss our experiences of working alongside caregiver advisors to tailor and deliver an intervention to ensure its relevancy to caregivers of individuals with FASD. We will also discuss the impact of ACT on the stress and wellbeing of caregivers of individuals with FASD, in addition to demonstrating ACT exercises with audience members.

Register now!

In this panel discussion, you will hear firsthand accounts from individuals living with FASD. Conversations will include subjects like motherhood, education, employment, and the impact of the diagnosis. Learn from these women’s personal stories, unique strengths, and hear how these individuals are each living with resilience.

Join us to view the 30 minute Picture This documentary (information below) along with a live discussion panel with the photo voice participants.

In 2007, five women participated in a photo voice project entitled, “Picture This: Life as a Parent of Children with FASD”.  The women used cameras and engaged in group discussion to describe their experiences of parenting children with FASD through pictures and narratives.  The project was transformed into a photo exhibit, podcast and DVD film production.  The film takes real emotions formerly described by intellect or words and turns them into powerful symbols and metaphors.  Participation in the project had a lasting impact on each mother and their relationships with one another.  With support from FASDONE the film was recently translated into Oji-Cree.  On September 16, 2020 we will present the translated video and bring together some of the mothers, as well as the translator, to talk about their experiences.

This event is hosted in partnership with FASDONE Network and the Ontario Network of CAPC/CPNP project

FASD Awareness Walk – An Uplifting, Fun, and Informative Walk to Celebrate People with FASD

Join Able2 for a 0.9 km walk in downtown Ottawa in support of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The 4th edition of this event coincides with International FASD Awareness Day that is observed all over the world on September 9th (the 9th day of the 9th month) to represent 9 months of pregnancy.

Over 100 people, including families and friends of people with FASD, medical practitioners, caregivers, local FASD program partners and media will gather on September 12th to spread the word about FASD, debunk common myths, highlight local support programs and resources, and bring hope for early diagnosis and intervention.

FASD affects +/– 1.5 M Canadians – There is no safe amount and no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. We all have a role to play!

Dr. Cook will describe and present results from the groundbreaking Dataform research project, which has captured information about hundreds of FASD diagnoses made across Canada. The project aims to better understand this life-long disorder and support individuals and families through improved understanding of service needs and informing policy and practice across the country.

Dr. Temple will provide an overview of current diagnostic criteria for FASD and review some of the clinical signs and symptoms of the disorder. She will also present results from a new research project that describes how receiving an FASD diagnosis can improve lives through better understanding and increased access to supports and services.

In order to implement best practices and improve outcomes for individuals with FASD who experience contact with the criminal justice system there is a need to characterize current experiences and needs, practices, and decision-making in these cases. Dr. McLachlan’s research team will present findings from several recent studies that aim to develop this growing evidence base. We first characterize criminal justice contact experiences among adolescents and adults with FASD using data from the Canadian FASD Database. Second, we review findings from a recently completed study evaluating FASD evidence in a review of published Canadian criminal cases. Third, we describe findings from our research characterizing the FASD knowledge, practice experiences, and training needs among forensic clinicians in Canada and internationally. Finally, we present findings from a systematic review of screening tools and approaches for identifying individuals with FASD, including specifically in justice contexts.

This 90-minute presentation will be held on Friday, August 7^th, 2020, at 1:00pm EDT, and will include a discussion period following the presentation.

FASD Connection Peel Support Group Meeting with Dr. Ira Chasnoff.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required (please include your email and phone number).

Eligibility: Must be a parent or caregiver residing in the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon).

**NOTE: This is not open to service providers, frontline workers or teachers.

Click to enlarge

In this webinar you will learn…

• What FASD is and how it impacts the brain
• How to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of challenging behaviours
• Information about overlapping diagnosis and how this informs systems, and
• How to develop individualized person-centered accommodations that lead to success

Sign up now for a six part webinar presented by FASCETS Canada East:

Tuesdays and Thursdays

July 7-July 23

12-2pm EDT

For more information contact: fascetscanadaeast@gmail.com

On July 11, 2020 from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, Meera Sidhu, the FASD worker for the Region of Peel is hosting a webinar for parents/caregivers. The topic is understanding FASD from the foundation up.

The cost is free, however, registration through Meera Sidhu at msidhu@erinoakkids.ca is required.