Why Getting an FASD Diagnosis Matters: Barb Clark’s Story (Part 1)

Why Getting an FASD Diagnosis Matters:
Barb Clark’s Story (Part 1)

What difference does an FASD diagnosis really make? Some say it won’t change anything. Others worry it’s just another label. In this powerful episode of The FASD Success Show, my good friend Barb Clark shares her story — just hours after receiving her official diagnosis.

She talks about the relief, the validation, and the neuropsych report that highlighted both her strengths and her struggles. It’s raw, it’s real, and it shows why naming it matters.

Meet Barb Clark

Barb is no stranger to our community. She serves as the head coach for our Caregiver Kickstart! Coaching Program and has been training and supporting families for more than 15 years. She’s a mom of five and is known for her humor, warmth, and ability to reframe tough behaviors like raging and lying through a brain-first lens.

Barb trains across North America, has partnered with us on the FASD Aggression Masterclass, and her first book Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family to Thrive arrives October 21, 2025.

But in this episode, Barb opens up in a way she never has before, about her own diagnosis and what it means for her life and the families she supports.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The moment of relief: why seeing the diagnosis in writing gave Barb peace of mind after years of wondering.

• Scattered profile explained: her neuropsych report revealed superior strengths in some areas and significant challenges in others — a classic pattern for FASD.

• “Screaming it from the mountaintops”: why she believes sharing openly helps reduce stigma and inspires others.

• Family reactions: how her children responded when she told them and why it created connection.

• The power of accurate labels: how a diagnosis replaces harmful judgments like “lazy” or “unmotivated” with understanding and support.

• Real-life accommodations: from scheduling systems to reminders, Barb shares what helps her stay on track.

Why Naming it Matters

Barb’s story is proof that a diagnosis isn’t about doom. It’s about clarity. Without it, people are still labeled — “lazy,” “bad kid,” “difficult.” With it, there’s relief, validation, and a path forward.

For Barb, naming it gave her language, proof, and a deeper sense of understanding. For caregivers and families, it’s a reminder that getting the right name for what’s going on in the brain changes everything.

This is Part 1 of 2

This episode captures Barb’s immediate reaction just hours after her diagnosis. But the story doesn’t end here.

👉 Be sure to check out Part 2 [recorded three months later] where Barb shares how the diagnosis settled in, what changed, and how hope continues to shape her journey.

Resources and Links

• Join our FASD Success Facebook Group

• Follow us on Instagram

• Subscribe to the @FASDSUCCESS YouTube Channel

•  Full show notes and links

 Connect with Barb Clark:

• Website: fasdmosaic.com

• Email: [email protected] 

• Book: Raising Kids and Teens with FASD: Advice and Strategies to Help Your Family to Thrive (October 21, 2025)