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Intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) includes challenges in intellectual functioning (learning, problem solving) and/or everyday skills and social skills, beginning before the age of 18. IDDs can include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and other genetic conditions. It has been shown that roughly 50% of mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities will lose custody of their child at birth or … Read More

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) has a toolkit on their website to encourage moderate alcohol consumption: The Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines Communications Toolkit. The toolkit targets adults from 25-65, and includes drinking tips, graphics for social media platforms, fact sheets, and other resources that viewers are encouraged to share with their family and friends. Guidelines Some … Read More

The CanFASD Family Advisory Committee (FAC) has created and submitted a video for the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health Talks competition. We encourage people to vote for our video by ‘liking’ the video on YouTube. The contest closes November 30th at 5 pm EST. The FAC has organized their wisdom into the four elements of the … Read More

CanFASD is excited to be hosting discussions on the topic of employment for individuals with FASD. On January 25, 2019, CanFASD, in partnership with the University of Alberta, will be hosting the FASD Employment Initiative in order to provide an opportunity for networking, resource sharing, and reflecting for people invested in seeing individuals with FASD succeed in employment. This initiative … Read More

Celisse Bibr is a recent Master’s graduate from Laurentian University’s Interdisciplinary Health program, and a current doctoral student in the Rural and Northern Health program. She studied, and is currently studying, under the supervision of Dr. Shelley Watson, to build on Northern Ontarian literature surrounding FASD. Knowledge of Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) Students on the Subject of FASD … Read More

Since 2007, France has required all containers of alcohol to contain a warning about drinking during pregnancy. However, this label has only been noticed by just over half of female consumers, and the message is often misinterpreted. Awareness  Only 66% of women said they noticed the warning label on alcohol containers Most women agreed that consuming alcohol daily could have … Read More

Background The authors of this article looked at the role of nurses in preventing alcohol use in patients perceived to be at-risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. The authors examined the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nurses in this role, along with areas to improve how they can help prevent prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). There is … Read More

At CanFASD, we have been working to create a common definition of FASD for use in a Canadian context. We believe that if all governments, service agencies, and researchers use a common definition of FASD, it will: Reduce stigma, given that many existing definitions are quite harsh and use incorrect or outdated information Increase understanding of the disability Increase consistency … Read More

Congratulations to our Research Associate, Dr. Kelly Coons-Harding, who this past weekend received the Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal from Laurentian University. The Governor General’s Academic Medals recognize the outstanding academic achievements of students in Canada and are awarded to the graduating student with the highest academic standing. Medals are awarded at four levels: bronze at the secondary school level; … Read More