For Families and Caregivers

​

FASD Maine Please check out all of our resources -  share professional training opportunities with your providers and teachers, research articles with clinicians and family members, and books and podcasts for all members of the family.

​

FASD United Family Navigator The FASD United Family Navigator program provides individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), their family members, caregivers and supporters with expert, confidential support and referrals. This includes people who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant that may have questions about alcohol or substance use. Our Navigators serve members of the FASD community and anyone in need of one-on-one peer support, referrals to resources and services, information about prenatal alcohol exposure, or with a question about any facet of FASD. This service is free and does not require a referral. Professionals who serve the FASD community or who would like information on alcohol or substance use and pregnancy are welcome to connect. An FASD Family Navigator can be reached from 9am-10pm ET, Monday through Friday via phone at 202-785-4585 or by completing the form here.

​

Eileen Devine LCSW     "Brain First Parenting"

"When challenging behaviors are viewed through the lens of the neurobehavioral model (based on the work of Diane Malbin*), they take on a different meaning, reducing frustration and reactivity while increasing understanding. Eileen shares in a recent blog entry:

"I wish I could say to every parent of a child with a neurobehavioral condition who is feeling hopeless, feeling like they might be surrounded by darkness, that with the right information and support, you absolutely have what it takes to do this. You and your sweet child (or children) can live a life that has many more ups than downs, one that contains an enormous amount of joy. Yes, thinking "brain first" is an approach that sometimes entails a steep learning curve, but it can take you and your family to wonderful places you might never have imagined possible...."

Prenatal alcohol exposure causes brain injury. As with any brain injury, behavior is a demonstration of this injury. The brain injury is often not diagnosed or considered in FASD and the behavior is often misunderstood and assigned motivation, incorrectly. Only when we understand the brain injury can we provide effective support and intervention. FASCETS offers this understanding and informed remedies.This gives the person with an FASD (and their families) access to their own strengths and abilities, a means to manage their deficits and build a meaningful life, making the most of their potential.

New Podcast with Eileen Devine LCSW!    

"Welcome to the Brain First Parenting podcast with Eileen Devine! I'm thrilled you're here, and look forward to diving into the many elements of the Brain First parenting approach in the episodes to come. This trailer -- Episode 0! -- is a brief introduction to my goals and hopes for this podcast, and an invitation to parents and caregivers who will benefit from this transformational parenting model.​

*Diane's Malbin LCSW developed the Neurobehavioral Model over 25 years ago. The nonprofit, FASCETS, was established to continue to provide information and training on the Neurobehavioral Model, which has now touched the lives of thousands worldwide. Diane's book explaining the Neurobehavioral Model, “Trying Differently Rather Than Harder”. 

 

FASCETS     Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Consultation and Training Services

Our mission is to cultivate empathy and deepen understanding of one another through recognizing and celebrating neurodiversity...This training is intended for professionals as well as parents and other caregivers of children with confirmed or suspected FASD or other brain-based conditions. Our experience is that the training is enriched by having a mixed group of parents, caregivers, and professionals.​

 

FAFASD Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

FAFASD is pleased to offer a variety of workshops and trainings focusing on FASD as a neurobehavioral disorder. These trainings explain FASD and help caregivers and professionals working with individuals and families affected by FASD create a plan for success. The workshops and trainings are based on current research and best practices for parenting, working with, or supporting persons with FASDs, and include many personal anecdotes, stories, and examples of positive change.

Helpful Chart: Behavioral Symptoms and Accommodations for Children with FASD

   

National FASD Collaborative Project         Support Group Calendar      

FASD Education Ongoing Webinars                Online Support Groups Families and Professionals​      

 

Nate Sheets  Cognitive Supports

Nate's brain-based approach is unique and allows for us to value a person's brain regardless of who they are. He helps parents and professionals understand the complex demands of everyday situations, allowing us to problem-solve alternative support strategies.

Nate's approach:

• Values neurodivergence

• Meets the person where they are at

• Focuses on connection & safety over compliance and "normal" behaviors

Videos:

• Using a "Stop and Think" Plan to Help with Slower Processing 

• How to help children de-escalate  - Helpful/Unhelpful Responses 

• Confabulation: When Lying Isn't Lying

 

CANFASD Canada FASD Research Network

CANFASD’s unique partnership brings together many scientific viewpoints to address complexities of FASD, with a focus of ensuring that research knowledge is translated to community and policy action. Our mission is to produce and maintain national, collaborative research designed for sharing with all Canadians, leading to prevention strategies and improved support services for people affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Publications:

• Hands, Not Hurdles Key Messages for Community Service Providers

• Information for Individuals with FASD

• Lifespan Intervention

• Excluded: Increasing Understanding, Supports and Inclusion for Children with FASD

​

FASD Hope Podcast  

"We started FASD Hope as a podcast /website /resource about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to share our viewpoint as parent advocates with over 18 years of lived experience. We like to say that our podcast is about awareness, information & inspiration for our listeners. Thank you for listening and learning more about FASD Hope. You are not alone in your journey of FASD! Please reach out to us about topics you’d like to hear on our podcast!"

Archived podcasts are available here.

​

Dr. Douglas Waite MD, AAP FASD Champion

FASD Hope Podcast February 2022  

Dr. Waite is Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai Hospital, was elected one of ten national FASD Champions by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2016, sits on the National Mental Health Advisory Board of the Child Welfare League of America, and is a member of the Society of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. Dr. Waite has special interests in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and the effects of child abuse and neglect upon child development.

​

Families Moving Forward (FMF)* is based on the idea that children with FASD have brain-based difficulties - neurological impairments - that are the underlying cause of many learning and behavioral problems. Caregivers learn Positive Behavior Support, Motivational Interviewing, and other evidence-based techniques.'Reframing' and 'accommodations' help parents change their own attitudes and how they manage the child, which leads to improvements in the child's behavior. Remote training is available for mental health professionals and agencies."​

*This training is for professionals - social workers, psychologists, family support workers - encourage your clinician to get this FASD-specific training!

 

Maine Resources​

Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine AFFM

Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine, Inc. (AFFM) provides support services for adoptive and foster parents, and kinship providers. AFFM provides the training, guidance, knowledge, and resources needed to handle complex issues as families open their hearts and homes to children.

• AFFM's extensive lending library includes many books on understanding and supporting a child with prenatal alcohol exposure(PAE) and FASD.

• AFFM has supported FASD training for caregivers and the AFFM staff.

​

Help Me Grow (HMG) 

Help Me Grow (HMG) Maine is a free service available to children up to eight years of age and their families. Help Me Grow Maine connects you to information and services about child development and community resources. In partnership with 2-1-1 Maine, any parent, caregiver, or provider can call for support. The Help Me Grow team will listen, link you to services, and supply ongoing support when needed.

HMG Maine is an affiliate of the National Help Me Grow Network. Together, we are working to help all children thrive.

Tel: 207-624-7969

​

Child Development Services    Maine Department of Education

Child Development Services (CDS), under the supervision of the Maine Department of Education, provides Early Intervention (birth through two years) and Free Appropriate Public Education (ages three through five years) under the supervision of the Maine Department of Education through a network of nine regional sites.

​

Cradle Me Maine

A Referral System for All Birthing Families
Call: 888-644-1130

• CradleME Request Form - Instructions (PDF)

Maine CDC Public Health Nurses are registered professional nurses who provide in-home or virtual health services for families. All prenatal and postpartum women and all newborns and infants up to 12 months of age may receive a visit from a Public Health Nurse. Whether it is to address any concerns you have with your pregnancy or birth, a nurse can answer your health-related questions about you or your baby. If you have questions about your health or your baby's health, you may request a nurse at any time by calling the CradleME number.