Content Warning: While Olga and Serhii are positive in their resolve and for their future, this interview deals with the current war in Ukraine. 

We realize we are living in very significant times. Today we’ve been invaded by our northern barbarian neighbours. Kyiv is being bombed. Soldiers are dying. They are invading from all sides. That’s the stage we are going through. Ukrainians are tough and we are going to resist. We are Ukraine. We are strong and we will protect ourselves. 

Who has not been transfixed by what is happening in Ukraine? Olga Bolshova, an alumnus of my CKS Coaching Program has been very active in setting up FASD programs in Ukraine.

So much dedication, that last night when they knew they could wait no longer, they put their safety plan in place to leave their home. Serhii reported they had to wait though until Olga finished the FASD diagnostic webinar she had organized for doctors. How surreal is that?  

With so many...

If you are a member of my private online Facebook Group, you know it’s not my group. The group belongs to my guest today, who has become famous for his “wee chuckles” – Alex Duthie. 

People can come on, ask for info, advice, tell stories, or a good old vent. It’s like a 4,000 strong family. There’s no judgement. We just get on with it. 

Alex and his wife Sylvia have 6 bio children between them and fostered 2 boys with FASD. We talk about how they arrived at the fostering journey as well as: 

• The challenges and strengths of Liam and Sean. 
• How their caregiving changed after FASD training, their lightbulb moments and advice for other parents and caregivers. 
• What Alex gives and receives from the group. 

Many posts make me cry. It’s heartbreaking. If I can just help to make someone forget just for one minute, just by giving them a smile, that has made my day. 

I also get the details...

Join me and my co-host, Barb Clark, as we talk with Abigail Erickson, Dr. Leah Wetherill, and Jeanine Schulze, part of DiG FASD, a fetal alcohol research study at the Indiana University School of Medicine about FASD and Genetics.

Interestingly, kids with FASD get referred to geneticists yet there isn’t a specific genetic test for FASD. But geneticists are trained in ‘syndromes’ and those are health issues that have multiple things going on. They take all those puzzles pieces and put them together to identify what is going on. 

DiG FASD stands for “Dissecting the Genetic Contributions to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.” FASD is a Spectrum. The research team says that by understanding how genes make FASD different, they hope to discover and improve treatments and interventions. If you might be confused about genetics, don’t worry, I got you covered. We break it down for you: 

• What genes are and how prenatal alcohol...

When I was pregnant the formal advice was it’s probably safer not to drink but there’s no evidence there’s the harm if you just drink one or two small drinks a week.

Today’s guest likely needs no introduction, as he has been a fixture and looked up to as an expert, sharing his story, teaching, and advocating in the FASD world for 35 years – but it wasn’t always that way. Dan Dubovsky couldn’t even get 12 people to attend his first professional course on FASD. But that didn’t stop him. I’m also excited he agreed to be on the show as he is one of the FASD pioneers that I have looked up to and learned from. Today I am sure you will learn and be inspired by him (if you haven’t already). 

Dan has worked for over 40 years in the field of behavioral health as a direct care worker in residential treatment and a therapist in residential and outpatient settings as well as an oncology social worker and Instructor in Psychiatry. He has written and taught courses on child and adolescent development, loss...

A caregiver in our private Facebook Group asked: Am I the only one seriously considering cancelling Christmas?

We know this time of year can be challenging. So, if you feel like cancelling Christmas, or want to reduce meltdowns or overload, check out these top 8 ideas or hints for the holidays suggested by other caregivers:

1. Change (or adjust) your expectations.
2. Create new traditions that suit your family.
3. Keep routines. No late nights. No junk food. No increase in screen time.
4. Vary gift-giving, opening and displaying throughout the month.
5. Fewer decorations, fewer activities, and more downtime.
6. Limit access to all the marketing and advertising.
7. Stop celebrating Christmas completely or switch traditions, to simpler ones such as Solstice.
8. Pull your kids close and give them lots of cuddles and hugs.

We know there are times when you will want to decorate, engage in activities or visit family or friends. Some additional ideas that may help:

1. Ask your child what they want or...