FASD Resources!
Written By Kristen Eriksen
In my years of personal research and now in my career, I have found so many wonderful organizations, coaching groups, and knowledgeable people to help me navigate the many compounding issues we faced along the road to the FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) diagnosis. Resources have helped me learn about FASD characteristics, and how to raise children with FASD. I am also sharing information about other support groups that are for other pieces of the bigger puzzle in our lives. I want to share every resource that I have found about FASD, attachment, RAD, Adoption, trauma, the neurobehavioral model, and TBRI.
So, I will share many of the coaching groups, online support groups, Facebook private groups and names of persons or place that I have found helpful along with a little blurb about what you may find there. I certainly will not be able to list them all, so if you are looking for something not mentioned, or want more information, please reach out to me at fasd@healthrecovery.org.
Adoption focused:
The Honestly Adoption Company and Oasis Community with Mike and Kristen Berry- Large organization developed by a wonderful married couple with many adopted children, some with FASD. They have a free Facebook group, podcast, coaching and support through paid trainings, coaching groups, and an online community called Oasis. The Berry’s do many live and zoom trainings that include topics of emotional regulation, FASD, Safety Plans, adoption, and attachment. They have authored several books as well.
The Adoption Connection Founded by Melissa Corkum and Lisa Qualls. Melissa and Lisa have tons of lived experience in all things' adoption. They have a lot of great free resources, books and services from an adoption and trauma lens. I participated in their training support for Caregiver Burnout (From Apathy to Empathy) and am currently participating in “The Real-Life Behavior System” a program that includes SSP training (the Safe and Sound Protocol listening program based on polyvagal theory) that helps to regulates the nervous system. Lisa Qualls is also co-author of “The Connected Child” with Doctor Karyn Purvis, PhD (TBRI Trust based relational intervention).
The Post Institute Great resource for education about adoption support and the neurobehavioral model. Bryan has a great ability to explain and discuss difficult issues in the adoption and attachment relm. He has several books, personal and small group coaching and a blog and Facebook group
FASD specific:
FASD Success: I have mentioned Jeff Noble before. He has written two books, has an excellent podcast, a free Facebook page, and offers many trainings. He has an informational free training every fall as a precursor to his FASD Caregiver Kickstart Program- a virtual 6 month paid coaching program to dig deep into all aspects of FASD Education and strategies for success.
The FASD Collaborative Project- A cross-organization international initiative to increase high quality support and training options for the FASD Community. It is a collaborative effort between many localized organizations to provide free FASD Education to anyone who is looking for it. Many free training courses are available, and they have compiled many resources of centralized information for training and research review for information about FASD.
The Change Starts Here Collaborative- Aubrey Page is an FASD educator and advocate with lived experience as a foster and adoptive mom. She has 10 different inexpensive courses on FASD, IEP support, siblings, and a mini course for teachers. She is very knowledgeable and has a wonderful way of wording information to be sensitive to avoiding blame and stigma. She does talk a little fast, so I had to listen a few times to get it all down pat, but that just means more bang for your buck!
Proof Alliance Minnesota FASD Organization that has a large clinic, client base, and offers free education and support groups to anyone, not just Minnesotans.
FASD United This National Organization for FASD in the United States is the “hub” so to speak of all individual state FASD organizations for collaboration and sharing. They have a Family Partner who you can contact to find local support in your area. They are also a large legislative advocacy group, and are currently working on promotion and passage of the FASD Respect Act.
The Neurobehavioral Model and Parenting Support:
Fascets Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Consultation, Education and Training Services. Modeled after the book “Trying Differently, Rather than Harder” by Diane Malbin, MSW, referred to as the FASD manual or bible by many.
Shifting the paradigm: toward a neuro-behavioral approach to FASD A Facebook page created by a Massachusetts mother of a son with FASD, to share information about the neurobehavioral approach, and be a support center and information sharing page
The Resilience Room with Eileen Devine- Some free, some paid subscriptions (more affordable than most others) based on the neurobehavioral model (Diane Malbin’s book “Trying Differently Rather Than Harder”) Eileen is extremely calm and realistic by nature, so instills this into her discussions. She has a blog as well. The resilience room provides a great explanation of using the Neurobehavioral model with step-by-step modules to learn about the unique qualities of each child in your care, and how to link their symptoms to appropriate strategies for support.
Reactive Attachment Disorder Specific:
RADvocates (Facebook group that I have found but just joined, so have no opinion about it yet.)
There are certainly many more, but this is what I have come up with so far. Check them all out to find what might best suit or help you. Please reach out if you need help to determine which one would best provide what you are looking for, to find other resources, or if you have one to share. I hope this helps you find your way!