“Like ripples in a stream, one drop of information can create waves of knowledge regarding prenatal alcohol use.”

FEATURES

Community

Firing of man with FASD sparks outrageIncludes news video. “The outrage continues to grow over the firing of a disabled man from his long-time job at the Sprouts Farmers Market in Point Loma [California]. On Wednesday, about a dozen customers staged an informal rally in the Sprouts parking lot of the same store where Ian Rey was awarded Employee of the Month.  Rey, who was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, has learning disabilities but has held a job at the grocery store for 14 years. He was fired after he says he took a black jacket he thought was his from the break room and unknowingly wore it to work the next day.”

Students teach FASD lessons in Monte Vista, CO “For several months, the young men and women of the Byron Syring DELTA Center, part of the Monte Vista School District, have been touring the Valley to do what they can to prevent mothers from drinking alcohol when with child. They have shared the tragic story of children fallen victim to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) with their peers, college students, health professionals and the community at large with hope the constant sad endings will make an impression and stop babies from being born with a multitude of life lasting birth defects.”

British FASD Advocate wins award, thanked by Prime Minister “Prime Minister David Cameron… has named Maria Catterick from Stockton the latest winner of his Big Society award for her dedicated and selfless support to young people. Over the past nine years she has single-handedly taken in and cared for 26 children which has led to her launching the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Network which provides advice and campaigns for awareness of the condition caused by pregnant mothers who drink alcohol.”

Research

EU Report: Children introduced to alcohol to teach ‘responsible drinking’ run higher risk of addictions“A report commissioned by the EU cites research showing the long-term health effects of even moderate drinking among children… [The study] shows that even small quantities of alcohol can lead to long-term health problems with the development of alcoholism and, in girls, possibly greater risks of infertility and breast cancer. Dr. Aric Sigman, a fellow of the United Kingdom’s Royal Society of Medicine… advised parents to delay the introduction of alcohol to their children until later ages, at least until after 15. The researcher noted a U.S. government-funded study that found a “far greater” risk of alcohol dependency among those who had their first drink before the age of 18.”

Events

Event: FASD: Best Practices in the Last Frontier. May 22-24, 2013. Anchorage, Alaska. The Arctic FASD Regional Training Center and the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services invites you to attend the 2013 conference on FASDs. The conference includes many nationally recognized FASD presenters including Dr. Nancy Cheal, Claire Marchetta, and Elizabeth Dang, MPH from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities who will provide an overview of CDC’s efforts on FASD prevention and treatment. NOFAS’ Vice President and spokesperson, Kathy Mitchell, will discuss the importance of reaching birth mothers to prevent FASD during a lunchtime keynote.  “This conference is designed for a wide variety of health, allied health, education, social, and human service professionals and providers, as well as the learning and networking needs of individuals with FASD and their families, and the professionals working with them.”

Webinar: FASD Intervention Strategies – Part I: A Global Approach to Interventions Appropriate to a Person with an FASD May 23, 2013. 1:00 PM-2:30 PM EST. “If it is accurate that a person with an FASD will always need an external executive function (per Sterling Clarren) it would behoove caregivers and service providers alike to be aware of intervention strategies that apply to every individual with an FASD and every situation relative to that individual. This webinar offers exactly that. Dr. Susan Doctor will discuss strategies that she calls “global” intervention strategies. She will spell out the rationale for and value of each global strategy as applied to the provision of appropriate supports for the individual with an FASD.”

Event: NAMI Walks in Baltimore, MD May 18, 2013. 11:00 AM. Rash Field at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. “NAMIWalks is the largest mental health education and fundraising effort in America. NAMIWalks brings together thousands of individuals and supporters to celebrate mental illness recovery, to honor those who have lost their lives to mental illness and to help raise funds, combat stigma and promote awareness.”

3rd International SAF France 2013 Symposium May 30 & 31, 2013. Cité Internationale Universitaire of Paris. The theme chosen this year is “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder : Prevention, Diagnosis and Intervention.” The objective is to mobilize the key players from various departments such as, Health, Social, Adoption, Education and Justice.  The days will be moderated by the best national and international specialists, with a simultaneous French-English translation.  Spaces are limited so consider registering. ?The pre-program, the call for papers and posters as well as the registration form are available on the website.

Webinar: FASD Intervention Strategies – Part II: The Hope is in the Interventions: A Comprehensive Model of Hope June 20, 2013. 1:00 PM-2:30PM EST. “Here you will learn about a comprehensive model that can be utilized when in personal or professional relationship with an individual with an FASD. There are three types of strategies that will be discussed. The first is Individual Interventions – strategies to assist caregivers and service providers relative to the life circumstances of that individual. The second type is Dynamic Case Management – a method of a team approach to case management that can better assist the person with an FASD. Lastly will be the discussion of Policy Issues that can either assist or hinder the provision of appropriate supports. Remember, the hope is in the interventions!