I love when we bring back guests for an update! I love it, even more, when we have breaking news! More on that later. My guest today, Audrey McFarlane, was my first guest back in January 2020. That episode is in the Top 3 of most listened. It isn’t surprising because she is the Executive Director of the Canada FASD Research Network. Audrey was also one of the founders of the Lakeland Centre for FASD, which in my opinion, is one of the best FASD organizations on the planet.  

Audrey has her finger on the pulse of what is happening not only in Canada but around the world. In this episode we talk about advocacy in other parts of the planet, get an update on what CanFASD has been up to since she was last on, as well as details on: 

• CanFASD’s new membership program (and...

What is the craziest thing you have heard someone doing to raise awareness about FASD? How about riding across America by yourself, relying on the hospitality of strangers to feed you, give you a bed for the night and talk about FASD. That’s exactly what my guest today, Emmaus Holder, did. Not so crazy though, it was more an epic adventure or quest.  

Emmaus Holder is a student at UNC Chapel Hill studying Sociology and Music. He is the oldest of five and has two brothers with FASD. He enjoys music and playing any instrument he can get his hands on, even taking a set of harmonicas on his bike trip. After college, Emmaus hopes to study sociology or psychology, do more research, and teach about topics such as the social and emotional difficulties tied to psychological struggles such as FASD. 

I wanted to do a cycling tour and as the idea started to build, I wanted to put a purpose behind...

Today’s episode is a little different. You may know about our free Facebook group called the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Caregiver Success Support Group. Well, a group is only as successful as it is because of the moderators. They provide support for group members and maintain a safe atmosphere.

I thought it might be fun for listeners to “meet the mods” and hear a little bit about them, their families, and their thoughts on the importance of community.

We have four moderators: Laurie Anderson, Alex Duthie, Heather Flynn and Debbie Raymond.

As with all guests, I ask about their origin story. You will also find out:

• who they support;
• some of the symptoms of the disability that present in their loved ones; and
• interventions or accommodations they use to support their success.

You will also learn (if you didn’t already know):

• What role they play in the group;
• The skills they bring as a moderator; and
• Their thoughts on the importance of...

Sharing stories and journeys from caregivers is one of my favourite things to do. It provides insight and inspiration for others from people just like you who know what you are going through.

Today I chat with my good friend, and Caregiver Kickstart Coaching program alumni, Christine and her daughter Angelina. Not only has their relationship improved in the last year, since getting real about FASD, and working through their grief and loss, they have emerged the other side and are kicking some advocacy ass right now in their home state of Kansas. 

Christine Bofenkamp is a freelance graphic designer and writer. She and her husband are raising Angelina who was adopted through kinship care, or how Christine likes to say, "our family tree has a limb that curls right back in.” When not working or supporting her daughter with online studies, Christine is pushing to get her new home state of Kansas FASD informed. She is building a...

Have you seen the memes pairing motherhood and alcohol? With phrases such as, 

• Some people need a special occasion to have wine. I just needed to have a kid.  
• What wine pairs well with my kids driving me absolutely insane? 
• Mom tip: When they start to whine, open the bottle of wine. 

Since FAS was first named in 1973 there have been ongoing efforts directed at prevention. While turning to alcohol to celebrate or as a coping mechanism is not new, over the last 10 years a new segment of the population has emerged on social media: wine moms.

If you search the hashtag #winemom, or variations of it, on Instagram you will get over 84,000 hits. Should this be a concern?

Our two guests today – Dr. Kelly Harding and Lisa Whittingham – wanted to take a closer look and are here today to talk about what they discovered. 

Dr. Kelly Harding received her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Rural and Northern Health from Laurentian University in...

Are you like our guest today – riding the bus of denial? Knowing your loved one has FASD but then doubting the diagnosis or thinking it is something else when they “seem” to be functioning as a neurotypical.

It can be an exhausting journey. But if you want to learn how to get off that bus, and find success, join Patti Crouch and me for the next hour.  

Patti is the adoptive mother of three children.  She has no clue what to write in her bio because all she is trying to do is survive, do what is best for her children and not gain weight by all the chocolate and ice cream that she eats.   She does host the "The Denial Bus" podcast when she can, where she simply shares real and raw talk and interviews from parents and professionals that have a touch with adoption, trauma, and different needs kids.  Occasionally she is funny.  

If I’m going to be vulnerable,...

Emotional Regulation.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Substance use treatment programs. 

How do these three subjects relate and what helps?

You will find out in today’s episode that will give you hope, inspiration and acknowledgement as a caregiver or individual with FASD. Your voices are heard. Your opinions and experiences do matter. Research is underway to find answers to create better supports, interventions and change outcomes. 

Dr. Aamena Kapasi is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alberta and is working on the Substance Use and Addictions in FASD Populations study for her postdoctoral research in partnership with CanFASD. Aamena completed her M.A in Counselling Psychology at the University of Western Ontario, and her Ph.D. in School and Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Alberta. Aamena has been researching FASD since 2013, focused on supports and...

I’ve followed today’s guest on Twitter for a long time so was honoured when she agreed to come on the podcast and talk about what she is up to in Rochester – and it is a lot and extends beyond NY! If you want to know about tools to help you on your parenting journey you are going to want to tune in today!

Christie Petrenko, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and researcher who has been conducting research with individuals with FASD since 2003. She completed her graduate training in San Diego in 2009 and is currently a faculty member at Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester. Her research focuses on developing and evaluating interventions for people with FASD, including the use of mobile health technology to increase access to care. Dr. Petrenko also runs a multidisciplinary FASD clinic providing diagnostic, intervention, and family support services. 

In trying to teach people about FASD and improve awareness,...

My good friend Aliy Brown from FASD Hub Scotland reached out to let me know about some interesting research going on right now in Scotland with young people with FASD. In addition, the researcher is an Educational Psychologist so I get all the details on school assessments, interventions and how to work as a team to implement accommodations in the school setting. 

Miranda Eodanable is anEducational Psychologist in Scotland with responsibility for neurodevelopmental assessment pathways with health services in areas of FASD and Intellectual Disabilities. Miranda has worked in education systems for the last 20 years and has guest lectured on the Scottish Masters in Educational Psychology courses. Currently, she is working on a Ph.D. at the University of Edinburgh on the value and impact of an FASD diagnosis.  

Lots of research talks about professional views about diagnosis and I was like, where is...

How do I keep my child/teen/adult safe online is a frequent question I get from caregivers. 

In fact, just a couple of days ago in our private Facebook Caregiver group, someone asked that very question.  Caregivers responded with everything from, we never allow access, lock it up, only supervised use, to parental controls. I get it. We want to keep our kids safe. And for some this may still be the answer … but today’s guest is going to challenge your thinking a little. She sure did mine. She says the most important parental control is you … but it might not be in the way you think.  

Jess McBeath is an online safety specialist in Scotland, who believes everyone should be empowered to live a good life online. She has trained thousands of people, including teachers, social workers, foster carers, and police across the UK, to keep children, vulnerable adults and themselves safe online.   

Online safety is so fascinating...