FASD 2012 Conference

Workshops

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“Hope in Action – FASD, a Caring Community”

Smithers, February 7th-9th 2012

Regional Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Who should attend:

Families living with FASD, caregivers, employers, teachers, front line workers, health professionals, anyone interested in learning more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Workshop Descriptions

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Dr. Maté

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  • 1a. Self care for caregivers: When the Body Says No – Caring for ourselves while caring for others

Stress is ubiquitous these days — it plays a role in the workplace, in the home, and virtually everywhere that people interact. It can take a heavy toll on individuals unless it is recognized and managed effectively and insightfully. This is even more true for parents, family members and caregivers of individuals with neuro-behavioural disorders such as FASD, and if left unchecked, accumulated stress goes on to undermine immunity, disrupts the body’s physiological milieu and can prepare the ground for a multitude chronic diseases and conditions.
This presentation, adapted for this conference, is based on When The Body Says No, a best-selling book that has been translated into more than twelve languages on five continents.

  • 2a. FASD, ADHD or both?

In this session Dr. Maté will discuss the close relationship between FASD and AD(H)D. They can easily be confused with one another, often co-exist, and, in fact, share many of the same characteristics. Who is diagnosed with what may, at times, reflect a cultural biases. In either cases, many of the same treatment principles apply.

  • 3b. FASD, ADHD or both?

In this session Dr. Maté will discuss the close relationship between FASD and AD(H)D. They can easily be confused with one another, often co-exist, and, in fact, share many of the same characteristics. Who is diagnosed with what may, at times, reflect a cultural biases. In either cases, many of the same treatment principles apply.

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Diane Malbin

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  • Opening Keynote Address – What if? Linking brain function with behaviors and trying differently rather than harder

What if brain function has something to do with behaviours? This session links research with behavioral symptoms to support reframing the meaning of behaviors, increasing understanding and reducing frustration for everyone. It is the foundation for developing strategies that work.

  • 1c. What makes for a good diagnosis and what can we do while we wait?

In nearly every community there is still lack of diagnostic capacity. As a result, accessing diagnosis is still a challenge. This session explores how factoring in understanding of brain function into everyday life simply gives equal weight to the idea that the brain might have something to do with behaviors. Starting to “think differently and try differently” does not require a formal diagnosis.

  • Lunch time session- Session for parents (birth, adoptive or foster), family members,caregivers No shame, no blame: Breaking taboos, talking about grief and healing If we can’t name it, can we prevent it? This session explores some of the roots of discomfort associated with FASD that are some of the biggest barriers to identification and prevention, and how to overcome these to heal from grief, guilt and shame.

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Kee Warner and Ken Kissinger, Whitecrow Village

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  • 2b. Living and succeeding with FASD

Whitecrow Village is unique as an organization formed largely by persons living with FASD. Our interdependent model recognizes that every person has something to offer and every person needs something from the group. Together, we can achieve the healthy and successful lives we desire. We believe that it is necessary to experience the competency and abilities of persons living with FASD, in order to have the hope and commitment to achieve prevention and appropriate support. This workshop is the story of Whitecrow Village, how we came to be, our everyday personal and Whitecrow community lives.

  • 3c. Community Wellness

FASD can be a gift and a teaching – a platform from which we can address community wellness. When a community is able to acknowledge and understand FASD, health and wellness of the whole community – physical, emotional, social, even economic health – can improve. In this presentation we will discuss Whitecrow Village experiences working with communities. With stories and examples we will demonstrate successes, failures and essential elements. Together with the audience we will begin to explore local strengths and resources, roadblocks and steps forward.

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Julie Conry

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  • 2c. Implication of the diagnosis of FASD for the legal system, including screening in the Youth Justice System

In this workshop, the importance of understanding the brain deficits associated with FASD for the justice system will be discussed. The profile of the nine brain domains for a sample of youth with FASD will be described, along with the co-factors of adverse childhood experiences and mental health concerns. The FASD Screening and Referral Tool for Youth Probation Officers which is linked to the diagnostic criteria will also be presented.

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Anne Guarasci & Joni Conlon

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  • 1b. Empowering Front-Line Staff and Families Through a Collection of Lived Experiences – Supporting women who have FASD behaviours and characteristics

This is a newly developed resource document. During this session, participants will have an opportunity to experience this resource as a facilitation tool for interactive exercises. The exercises are intended to build capacity of program staff to meet the needs of families who may live with FASD.

This session is designed for participants who have previous FASD training and experience.

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Servaas Mes

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  • 3a. The 3-min Grounding Routine

In this workshop Servaas will share a simple and effective somatic exercise routine in grounding, breathing and focusing skills. This 3-minute routine is designed to upgrade foundational skills that help your process of self-regulation and support your connection with Self. Developed while working with a group of diverse learners in an isolated First Nations community, this routine brings coherence and balance to the brain/body-connection. You will learn the routine yourself as well as how to teach others. Are you ready?