FASD Resources
Websites/Podcasts/Videos/Books
"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."
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 writings around best practices when parenting, working with, or supporting persons with FASDs, and include many personal anecdotes, stories, and examples of positive change.
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:
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Values neurodivergence
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Meets the person where they are at
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Focuses on connection & safety over compliance and "normal" behaviors
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Using a "Stop and Think" Plan to Help with Slower Processing
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How to help children de-escalate - Helpful/Unhelpful Responses
Eileen Devine Neurobehavioral Support Coach and Training
"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.
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:
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Hands, Not Hurdles Key Messages for Community Service Providers
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Excluded: Increasing Understanding, Supports and Inclusion for Children with FASD
American Academy of Pediatrics AAP
A child or adolescent with an FASD may have a combination of physical, neurodevelopmental, neurocognitive, and behavioral problems with each manifesting a range of severity. Several initial studies, using active case findings of school-aged children, indicate that 1% to 5% of children in the United States may have an FASD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that approximately 13.5% of pregnancies may have alcohol exposure.
An FASD diagnosis provides families, pediatricians, and nonphysician clinicians a framework for understanding an individual’s behavior and their needs. Science indicates that therapeutic interventions, special education and support services improve outcomes for patients and families. The protective effect of early diagnosis can reduce the risk of additional disabilities and mitigate lifelong consequences. Ongoing care in a supportive pediatric home is an important component to achieving health and wellbeing for any child with an FASD and their family.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ACOG
ACOG Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevention Program
Alcohol use during pregnancy continues to be a concern in the United States. Ob-gyns are uniquely situated to help combat alcohol-related mortality and morbidity before, during, and after pregnancy.
ACOG's FASD Prevention Program is a CDC-funded initiative. Our goal is to empower health care providers to speak with their patients about abstaining from alcohol use during pregnancy by providing ob-gyns with the resources and tools they need to communicate with patients about this public health issue. We also develop and compile resources for patients including FAQs, referral and treatment recommendations, fact sheets, and other educational materials.
Tools and Videos for Providers
The following strategies can be used to help women of childbearing age change their drinking behavior. They have been proven effective for use during office visits.
FASD United (formerly NOFAS National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
Resource for parents, caregivers, providers, educators, law enforcement, community stakeholders.
"FASD United works to prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and other substances known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and supporting women before and during their pregnancy, and supports individuals, families, and communities living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and other preventable intellectual/developmental disabilities."
Proof Alliance offers comprehensive, customized training on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) for a variety of individuals – medical providers, high school and college students, educators, social workers, chemical health workers, caregivers, criminal justice workers, therapists, and other social/human service providers.
National Institute of Health/National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
NIH/NIAAA
Information on FASD and current NIAAA FASD studies and research
Maine
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
e-mail: HelpMeGrow@maine.gov
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.
A Referral System for All Birthing Families
Call: 888-644-1130
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.
Maine Families is offered to all families who are expecting or have a new baby at home. Whether it is your first or your third baby, Maine Families certified family visitors can provide information, encouragement and support around the topics that matter to you regarding health, nutrition, safety, development and your family's well-being. Best of all, they come to you at your convenience and at no cost to you!
Maine Families is based on the most current information and approach (evidence-based) that uses parent's strengths to promote child development and the best possible parent-child relationship.
Maine Families support with parenting is free and just a phone call away. Find Maine Families near you to get started.
Family visits are a time to...
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focus on your pregnancy, newborn, or toddler
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learn about your child's development
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view educational videos and resource materials
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ask a certified Parents as Teachers visitor questions about parenting
Podcasts
Alcohol and Pregnancy: The More You Know
Podcast Series Boston University
Listen to seasons 1 and 2 of this podcast and receive free continuing education credit.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are the most common preventable developmental disability in the US; however, more often than not, they are under-appreciated and under-recognized.
Access two seasons of Alcohol and Pregnancy: The More You Know, each with three distinct episodes, exploring the many facets of this topic. Episodes include:
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Interviews with experts in the field
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People with lived experience
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Patient advocates
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Demonstrations of difficult patient conversations
Free continuing education credits are available, select this link to listen!
If you do not need continuing education credit, listen on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon Music.
"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.
Dr. Jeffrey Wozniak PhD Neuropsychologist University of Minnesota
Navigating Neuropsychology Podcast April 2019
Today we give an overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which includes a collection of disorders that occur when a fetus is exposed to alcohol. We discuss this topic with Jeffrey Wozniak, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist with extensive research and clinical experience in FASD. Dr. Wozniak’s research focuses on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. He directs the University’s FASD Research Program, which conducts neuroimaging, neurocognitive, and intervention studies in FASD. He is the past-president of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG) and is involved with the Collaborative Initiative on FASD (CIFASD), which is an ongoing multi-site imaging, neurobehavioral, genetic, and facial dysmorphology project.
VIDEO
The Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD) is funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Education and has been in existence since 2006. We are located in Prince George, British Columbia. The mandate of our program is to increase educators’ capacity to meet the learning needs of students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
What Educators Need to Know 6:30 Myles Himmelreich (FASD Activist)
Nate Sheets
6 Things Educators and School Staff Should Know About FASD 8:00
Children and teenagers with FASD require specific supports that are unique from other developmental disabilities and conditions. Many educators and school personnel have not been trained on these specific needs.
More information and helpful videos such as Handling Escalation
What is FASD? The FASD Project
The FASD project is a film seeking to rapidly increase awareness of the risks of alcohol consumption in pregnancy within a short period of time, given the significant increase in alcohol consumption since the onset of the global pandemic. This film aims to bring awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and provide detailed scientific information on prevention, while aiming to start discussions about solutions to current problems facing the community.
In this two-minute video, Kiera Knowlton, a young woman with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), discusses FASD and some of the ways it can affect individuals who have this disability. Kiera also explains why an accurate diagnosis is so important - allowing the individual with FASD to access appropriate support, make the most of their talents and strengths and build the best life for themselves.
The Body-Behavior Connection - Myles Himmelreich, an FASD advocate and person with an FASD shares his experience from childhood through adulthood.
FASD is a lifelong disability. There are unique issues that arise in adolescence and adulthood, from diagnosis to services and supports. Go here to read more - thank you PROOF Alliance.
"This Chicago doctor stumbled on a hidden epidemic of fetal brain damage"
"Fetal Alcohol Disorders Are More Common Than You Think"
FASD United (Formerly NOFAS National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome )
This NOFAS YouTube site includes interviews with FASD professionals who cover topics such as the prevalence of FASD, understanding the spectrum of diagnoses under FASD, teaching strategies for children with FASD, the legal system and the child or adult with FASD, support for birth mothers, support for adoptive parents of children with an FASD, research on FASD, and FASD treatment and intervention.
Deb Evensen, MA has been educating school districts and other organizations about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders for more than 35 years, in Alaska and beyond.
Eight Magic Keys to Success to Support Students with FASD
Developed by Deb Evensen and Jan Lutke
This animated video, introduced by Deb Evensen, teaches simple practical strategies for working with all children – but especially designed for children with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure (FASD), trauma and other brain-based differences. While the video shows a school setting, the techniques were developed for children in community settings like after school programs and at home, as well as schools. These techniques are fun, easy to use – and make a positive difference for children and the professionals working with them. Alaska Children's Trust
Books
Malbin, Diane M., (2017) Trying Differently Rather Than Harder
Diane Malbin is an internationally recognized authority on FASD. She is the founder of the nonprofit organization, FASCETS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Consultation, Education and Training Services, Inc.). Ms. Malbin is also a social worker/parent of children with an FASD. This book provides a readable narrative discussion of the neurobehavioral approach for working effectively with children, adolescents, and adults with FASD. After a brief review of the diagnosis- understanding the brain injury of prenatal alcohol exposure- the author explores the most common neurobehavioral symptoms by providing case examples, FASD-informed interventions, which result in improved outcomes.
What Educators Need to Know About FASD Working Together to Educate Children in Manitoba with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Healthy Child Manitoba*
This includes foster parents and legal guardians. It is important to recognize that the effects of FASD vary in range and severity for each individual. As a result, no two children with FASD learn and function in exactly the same way. Your knowledge and experience, guidance and encouragement are vital to the child’s learning. Preparing for your student requires:
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learning about FASD
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talking with parents and the student about the child’s strengths and needs
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getting to know your student and his or her goals • knowing how best to communicate with your student
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becoming aware of what adjustments may be necessary in your planning
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sharing responsibility for directing the student’s educational programming in co-operation with other members of the school team
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knowing where to get help when needed
*Throughout this guide, the use of the word parent refers to caregivers who live with the child and are the primary caretakers.
Streissguth, Ann, PhD. (1997) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome A Guide for Families and Communities
Dr. Ann Striessguth was a professor (now retired) in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and former director of the Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit at the University of Washington. Dr. Streissguth's seminal work on maternal alcohol and drug use and FASD paved the way for much of the FASD research, prevention, and intervention of today.
Although this text was published in 1997 and the statistics and some terminology are outdated, her writing, based on decades of research at that time, "will help physicians, psychologists, social workers, educators, advocates, and families of children and adults with FAS work toward an educated community, a supportive network of legislation and programs, and better futures for people living and growing with FAS." (from book jacket)
Dr. Streissguth's well thought out chapters on comprehensive plans of action for schools, human services, and public policy could have been written today; FASD-informed policy and practices continue to be largely absent from these systems.
Bell, Carl., (2018) Fetal Alcohol Exposure in the African American Community
Community Mental Health Journal February 2021
Purvis, Karyn.The Connected Child. McGraw-Hill Education.2007
Based on the Trust-Based Relational Intervention, TBRI, approach for children who have experienced trauma, international adoption, prenatal stress such as prenatal alcohol exposure.
Rodger, Ellen,and Goswell, Rosie. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Crabtree Publishing 2014. Written for the teen with FASD and their families.
Catterick, Maria. Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. JKP 2014.
Accessible and informative, this is a helpful guide to FASD for social workers, family placement teams, parents, and teachers.