CanFASD: Lifespan Intervention

Towards Healthy Outcomes for Individuals with FASD — To help support intervention approaches across the lifespan, the Healthy Outcomes model has been developed to help support intervention approaches across the lifespan. This model embodies this perspective, and provides us with a roadmap that can help to think carefully and proactively about healthy pathways. The model is founded on core beliefs that reflect integration of the research with wisdom from communities and caregivers, as well as the lived experiences of those with FASD.

The National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategic Action Plan 2018-2028 — This plan has been developed to provide a clear pathway of priorities and opportunities to improve the prevention, diagnosis, support and management of FASD in Australia. It builds on the signi cant foundational work and investment over recent years made by governments, non-government organisations, family advocates, researchers and clinicians, individual champions and communities who have raised awareness and supported individuals and their families living with FASD.

The Marulu Strategy 2008–2012: overcoming Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Fitzroy Valley — Aboriginal leaders concerned about high rates of FASD in the Fitzroy Valley, remote north-western Australia, introduced restrictions on access to take-away full-strength alcohol. Following this, Aboriginal leaders engaged strategic partners in a broader strategy to address FASD in the region. The aim of this study was to develop and implement a community-led, researcher-supported, FASD strategy.

Putting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on the Map in New Zealand: A Review of Health, Social, Political, Justice and Cultural Developments — In this article, the developments within New Zealand’s health, justice, social and cultural sectors are traced and the work of many individual trailblazers who have put FASD on the map is acknowledged.

Best Practices for Serving Individuals with Complex Needs – Guide and Evaluation Toolkit — This document is intended to provide guidance for individuals and agencies working with clients with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families. Together as a single source, a best practice guide and evaluation tool kit are provided for use by agencies and their staff. There are two anticipated uses for this resource: 1) to assess current service delivery by providing indicators and outcomes that can be measured to inform practice improvements; and 2) to inform future service offerings by supplying a framework on which to develop policy and practices.

Intervention Across the Lifespan: Where are we at and where do we need to go? — This paper identifies the existing gaps in research and provides an overview of the key needs at different developmental stages within the lifespan of an individual with FASD.

Accessible Canada—Creating new national accessibility legislation—In 2016, Minister Carla Qualtrough launched the website Accessible Canada, where Canadians were asked to think about what accessibility means to them and what it could mean for their communities. Between June 2016 and February 2017, over 6,000 Canadians and over 90 organizations shared their ideas about an accessible Canada, culminating in this report.

Issue Papers

CanFASD Issue Paper: Strengths Among Individuals with FASD — The vast majority of FASD research is focused on the challenges and impairments associated with the disability, as well as the burden of FASD on families and the broader community. This type of research can help to validate the experiences of individuals with FASD and their families, and to inform where services and supports might be needed the most. However, the simultaneous lack of strengths-based studies can perpetuate a sense of shame, suffering, and victimization, and contribute to the stigma already associated with FASD. By neglecting to explore the successes of individuals with FASD, we fail to recognize their immense potential and celebrate the unique contributions that each individual has to offer. The goal of the current issue paper was to review the existing strengths-based FASD literature and highlight the need for more studies to fill this critical gap.

Computer Game Interventions for Individuals with FASD — Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities and diagnoses that can result from prenatal exposure to alcohol. Intervention and treatment options for individuals with FASD are both costly and resource-intensive because they are tailored to the client. Computer game interventions present a novel approach to interventions that may help mitigate the effects of brain injury associated with FASD.

The Impact of Jordan’s Principle on Children with FASD — Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle meant to prevent First Nations children from being deprived of essential public services or experiencing delays in receiving them.

Nutritional Supplementation and FASD — Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities and diagnoses that can result from prenatal exposure to alcohol. Maternal nutrition can often be compromised when alcohol is consumed, especially in situations of chronic alcoholism. Poor overall nutrition may contribute to and/or compound the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Recent evidence from preclinical studies suggests that pre- or postnatal nutritional supplementation may improve neurocognitive function (e.g., learning, memory) and behaviour. Thus nutritional supplementation may be an accessible method for improving maternal and fetal pre- and postnatal health.