The FASD Success Show

Imagine feeling like the world doesn’t want you. No matter what you do, or try, no one wants to be your friend. You are misunderstood and dismissed by medical professionals. You are hurting so much physically and emotionally that you start to think you no longer want to live. That is the dark place my guest, Jessica Birch, found herself in before receiving her FASD diagnosis.  If you have ever wis...

Would you agree the best learning comes from caregivers who have walked the FASD journey? Today, I’m talking with Judy Pakozdy, who has 45 years’ worth of FASD knowledge, training, and caregiving experience.   Judy was a pediatric head nurse in Whitehorse (Yukon, Canada), a founding member of the FAS Society of Yukon, and served as its Executive Director for 12 years. She is also a mom to Matthew,...

Today’s show is an inspirational story of what determination, advocacy and drive can achieve! It is the story of Maryelen Mcphail, a foster and adoptive mom and her daughter Paula, co-founders of Oshay’s, an FASD organization, in Scotland.    You will hear their journey to getting a diagnosis and the roadblocks they encountered before and after from their unique perspective as mom and daughter. We...

We know prenatal alcohol exposure is a risk factor for FASD. We have studies on high levels of prenatal alcohol exposure - but what about low levels? Up until now, we have not had a study to share showing how low levels of prenatal alcohol exposure can affect the brain and behaviour.  My guest today, Dr. Catherine Lebel, is going to talk about a recently released study that examined altered brain...

This is an interesting and inspirational episode with my good friend Jeremy Elliott and his godson William. It is a unique tale of how a family bond, love of sports, and a mentoring mindset, made a positive difference in the life of an individual with FASD.   Jeremy is a martial arts champion and owns United Family Marshal Arts in Niagara Falls (Ontario, Canada). He is also a pro wrestler. In fact...

This is a big episode! In fact, my guest in today’s episode is affectionately known as “Big Papa”. That’s right – I finally made a connection with Bryan Post and I couldn’t be more stoked to bring his message to my audience.   Bryan is a child behavior expert and founder of the Post Institute for Family-Centered Therapy. The Post Institute works with adults, children, and families struggling with...

My guest today, Sandra Butcher, the Chief Executive of the National Organization for FASD (U.K.) said it best: Every victory for FASD in any part of the world is a victory for all of us . And after a growing movement from many organizations and individuals in the U.K. after decades of actions, so much has happened that has pushed FASD recognition into the forefront.   Sandy and her husband are par...

This episode is a celebration. It marks the 100th episode of The FASD Success Show but more importantly, and on a personal note, it brings me to the person who was the catalyst for my own professional FASD journey – Donna Debolt. This will also be a 100-timer episode. It is filled with so many aha moments, thought-provoking questions and insight gained over 32 years.   Donna is a social worker and...

It isn’t often I endorse conferences, but the Insight Conference from the Honestly Adoption team is one that I do. And not just because I have been invited back to speak – but because Mike and Kristin Berry have put together another incredible lineup of speakers.   Mike says: The goal of Insight is to provide personal access to world-renowned experts who can give you practical insight into your ch...

Do you hear people suggest using a strength-based approach when supporting individuals with FASD but wonder what that means or how to do it? Do you wish someone would ask for your opinion as a caregiver? If so, this podcast is for you.   In this episode of The FASD Success Show Dr. I talk with Dr.  Katy Flannigan (Research Associate at CanFASD) and Dorothy Reid (Co-Chair of the Family Advisory Com...

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 an...

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.  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, their lightbulb moments after receiving FASD training as well as what A...

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   DiG FASD stands for “Dissecting the Genetic Contributions to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.” FASD is a Spectrum. The research team hopes by understanding how genes ar...

Few topics can divide people or make them so uncomfortable that they don’t talk about them. Sexuality is one of them.  Given that inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB) is displayed by 45-52% of adults with FASD, and can present issues that split families up, this is a topic caregivers should pay as much attention to as other important life skills.  Jeff’s guest today is Pascal Gagné, the FASD Team L...

The first prevalence study on FASD in the U.K. was released late last year. Today, we go behind the scenes with two of the team members, Professor Penny Cook and Robyn McCarthy. We will learn about the steps involved, barriers, some of the interesting and unexpected results, and what is next, including a parenting program.  We also get some details on a new research project looking at the factors...

Today’s guest likely needs no introduction, as he has been sharing his story, teaching, and advocating in the FASD world for 35 years – but it wasn’t always that way. 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).  We talk about his journey rais...

Are you a parent or a teacher? Work with or support students or learners? Looking for ideas and best practices on how to help individuals with FASD? Following aggression, school is one of the most talked-about challenges caregivers ask for support or advice. When I heard about the return of a special FASD education program in Alberta, I reached out to my friend Danna Ormstrup, the Director of the...

You know me. I’m a geek at heart. And I always say although I do know a lot about FASD, I’m not a doctor, a lawyer, or a social worker. That’s why I’m excited to bring you Dr. Peter Choate, a social worker, who has influenced my work. I must admit I was a bit nervous because of who he is. But Peter started off the interview with a dad joke and I knew we were on our way to a great conversation.  Pe...

There are caregivers all around the world quietly or not so quietly going about their day-to-day. Occasionally, I see someone who is doing incredible work in their community so I want to dig a little deeper to see if there are lessons and ideas I can share with others. Laurie Whyte is one of those caregivers.   In this podcast, Laurie and I touch on her involvement in the FASD community in her hom...

As a research scientist in the health care field, Ngaire thought she knew everything, but now understands how little she knew. With three girls on the Spectrum, it felt like WW3 in the home with rages, outbursts, and mental health concerns.   Combining what she learned in the CKS Coaching Program with her research background, she set goals and applied a scientific analysis to measure progress.  He...

Kelly Rosenbender is a single mom working full time and raising a 13-year-old daughter. Despite getting a diagnosis and referrals for service for her daughter, she still felt judged, isolated, and without tools or knowledge to advocate.  Until she joined the CKS Coaching Program and started listening and learning from others around the world. She went from not being able to see beyond the next wee...

Previous guests have included moms and dads, but this is the first time we’ve had a couple appear together to talk about their journey as FASD Caregivers. I couldn’t think of a better couple than Chandra and Jordan as the first.  Chandra and Jordan are parents to 6 children – two with an FASD diagnosis and one suspected. Like Angelene Bruce , our conversation was not intended to be a podcast. It w...

Her handle on Twitter is FASD Warrior Mum and that describes Angelene Bruce, my guest today, perfectly. She is an amazing mum to her 12-year-old son with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. She is also throwing FASD stigma out the window by sharing her story as a birth mum. Originally, I was going to use Angelene’s story as a Case Study for my upcoming Caregiver Kickstart Coaching program, but when s...

In this episode of The FASD Success Show, I’m talking to a professional who has dedicated her career to understanding, advocating, and supporting families and individuals with FASD. So much so, she wrote her thesis on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, which she has just turned into an e-book: A Complicated & Beautiful Brain.     Angela Geddes refers to it as a guide to understanding the effects...

One of the benefits of the work I do is I get to witness the incredible transformation of caregivers. Today’s guest, Jo Garofalo is a caregiver I have watched go from being alone and pushed in different directions (none of which worked) in advocating for her daughter to an informed advocate who has the information, knowledge, and confidence to move forward in getting the accommodations needed for...