The timing couldn’t be better for the release of this episode of The FASD Success Show because it is Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada, a time for family and gratitude. These are a couple of the key messages my guest, Kenny LaJoy, writes about in his recently released book, It’s OK To Be You. Living Well with FASD or Other Disabilities.

In addition to being a new author, Kenny is an entrepreneur and pizza store manager. He started his life in an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan, but at the age of eight moved to the USA when he was adopted by the LaJoy family. His life experiences and learning challenges led him to write this book in the hopes that his story and the wisdom he has gleaned in the process might make growing up with a disability a little bit easier for someone else. In his free time, Kenny volunteers in many faith-

based leadership roles and is currently enrolled in a Pathways Theological Education course of study.

We are inundated with what’s not...

In this Ask Me Anything episode, you will find my best research and answers to the following:

1. Why is it so hard for other people to accept that the children's behaviour doesn't mean they are just naughty little brats but little people who have no control and need more love and patience?

2. How do I respond to “I’m not preparing them for real life” when I try to explain or advocate for my parenting choices?

3. Is the wool being pulled over my eyes when my child can do something one day...

Have you heard the phrase, nothing about us without us? Many self-advocates use the phrase to remind us that we need to keep people with experience in the conversations. We’ve had quite a few individuals with FASD on the Show, and I thought a great way to wrap up FASD Month was to hear from someone who openly shares her experience with many caregivers to help them understand their kids.

Heather Vickers received her diagnosis seven years ago, at age 44. She has been married since 2005, has a stepson with Autism, and is a cat mom and self-advocate.

I move in the world as a 15-year-old for a lot of things. I am 51 chronologically but 15 on the inside. My husband really guides me. Even though I can drive and make my own appointments, I rely on him for a lot of stuff.

In this episode, Heather candidly shares the difficulties she experienced before a diagnosis as a child and young adult trying to find her way, as well as what life is like now and her support system. We...

Caregivers ask me all the time … how can I teach my loved ones skills to soothe themselves, stop a meltdown, or regulate themselves. Understanding the sensory system is key to answering those questions and you can get some ideas on how to do that with my guest this week, Jessica Sinarski. We first met Jessica in episode #099, Insight on Trauma, Attachment, and Sensory Systems. She returns to talk about her upcoming book aimed at normalizing sensory processing differences and helping kids understand their sensory systems.

Jessica Sinarski is a highly sought-after therapist, speaker, and change-maker. Extensive post-graduate training and 15+ years as a clinician and educator led her to create the resource and training platform–BraveBrains. She makes brain science practical, helping parents and professionals become healers for hurting children. She is the author of the award-winning Riley the Brave series, Hello, Anger, and more.

I was actually working on a book...

One of my goals with The FASD Success Show podcast is to bring you a wide variety of guests, including those who are leading experts in the FASD community. Today’s guest, Audrey McFarlane is no exception. She returns for the third time and brings updates on research and some exciting announcements of interest to our listeners from anywhere in the world.

Ms. McFarlane is the Executive Director for the Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network. She was one of the founders of the Lakeland Centre for FASD and led this organization for almost 20 years. In the past 20 years, she has been passionate about working with individuals with FASD, their families, and service systems to develop best practice service models in rural diagnosis; community outreach, and prevention. Audrey has presented at the local, regional, national, and international levels on many issues related to FASD. As Executive Director of the national research network in FASD, she directs and...

Today’s episode is a heavy topic that might make some people uncomfortable, but it is one that we should be prepared for – because it is inevitable at some point our children will be faced with death – whether that is a pet, family member or friend.

We reached out to Marjorie Wingrove who is a death doula, in Eastern Ontario. Her focus is on death education, bereavement support and end-of-life preparation. In 2021 she created the Death Happens podcast with support from Trent Radio. Marjorie is a single parent of two adolescents, one with prenatal alcohol exposure.

She has served as a parent advisor on several committees and workshopped coping strategies with other parents of kids with FASD.

There is nothing easy about the topic of death. Instead, invite curiosity. We do not get over grief. If there is love, there is going to be grief. There is no method necessarily except to pay attention to what is going on with the person who is bereaved and to listen...

Have you ever wished you could understand how your loved one experiences the world? What do they think about their disability and what do they want others to understand? Today’s guest is going to help us do that. Last year, Miranda Eodanable was on The FASD Success Show to talk about a Photovoice Research Project she was about to undertake, asking young people to document their experience in pictures. In this episode, she shares the results from the group of eight individuals with FASD (ages 12 – 19 years old) who participated.

Miranda is anEducational Psychologist in Scotland responsible for neurodevelopmental assessment pathways with health services in areas of FASD and Intellectual Disabilities. She 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.

Parents are...

It’s back-to-school season, and with that comes IEPs, IPRCs, 504s, and education plans! If the terms or process are confusing and frustrating, we have you covered in this week’s podcast with Mark Courtepatte – one of the most popular Insider Experts in our CKS Coaching Program. But you don’t have to be in the program now to hear his expertise!

Mark is not your average FASD advocate! When he is not at his day job, he is very dedicated to his role as the Co-Chair of the Hamilton FASD Support Group. What started as a group of 5-6 individuals, Mark and his team have created significant programs, events, and advocacy in their home community and across Ontario. Through his FASD work, Mark has also taken an interest in the IPRC and IEP process, helping folks understand the process and their rights. Mark also has a unique perspective as he is a partner to someone with FASD.

I did not grow up as a disability advocate. I think like most of the...