Kanzah Rabbani is an undergraduate Honors Psychology student at the University of Alberta. She recently presented her ongoing Honors research at the Canada FASD Conference in October 2025.
About me
Hi there! My name is Kanzah, and I’m a Bachelor of Science student studying Psychology with Honors. I’ve always been curious about how people think, feel, and experience the world. That curiosity led me to focus my research on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Right now, I’m working under the guidance of Dr. Jacqueline Pei. Together, we’re exploring the in-body experiences of individuals with FASD and the in-home experiences of their caregivers. We’re especially interested in how other people’s thoughts and/or actions affect these individuals – sometimes in ways that bring up themes of stigma (a negative label or unfair judgment that can make someone feel ashamed or excluded).
The spark that got me started
Before starting my thesis, I volunteered with the Centre for Autism Services Alberta. That experience helped me discover how much I care about supporting neurodiverse communities. I now work as a Behavioural Interventionist supporting autistic children, and I continue to learn so much from them.
My work with the FASD community has deepened that passion. I’ve seen the strengths these exceptional individuals bring and the importance of supporting them in meaningful ways. I’ve learned how vital it is to listen, learn, and uplift voices that can often be overlooked. I feel lucky to be part of this work and am grateful for every opportunity I’ve had.
What I’m learning so far
My research is all about listening. I’ve helped interview individuals with FASD and their caregivers to better understand their stories. At the Canada FASD conference, I shared some preliminary insights from this work – reflections on the ongoing “push and pull” between being understood and misunderstood.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far:
- Emotional harm from being misunderstood and judged.
- Many individuals with FASD and their caregivers shared feelings of invalidation and blame, and the emotional toll that comes from others’ misinterpretations.
- Living with stigma and fear.
- Some participants spoke about hiding their FASD diagnosis or experiences due to anticipating stigma and discrimination.
- Emotional restoration through understanding and support.
- This is what I like to call our “lighthouse.” It represents the direction we should aim toward in future work – the idea that empathy and shared understanding bring relief, hope, and belonging.
Broadly, I like to think of these findings as a journey:
- the harmful personal effects from being misunderstood,
- the sustained emotional cost that follows,
- the positive, healing effects of being understood.
What continues to stand out to me is how open people have been, sharing both their struggles and successes. Another powerful theme I’ve noticed is how much other people’s attitudes can shape someone’s experience – for better or for worse.
This reminds me of how important it is to create safe, welcoming spaces. Everyone deserves to feel accepted for who they are.
What’s next?
It was a privilege and an honor to be able to share my work at the Canada FASD conference, learn from other researchers, and connect with so many incredible people – those with lived experiences, caregivers, and professionals dedicated to this field.
My thesis is part of the larger study IMPACT (Integrated Mental Health Partnerships for Advancing Care & Treatment). This project brings together researchers and community partners to co-create a holistic model of mental health care for individuals with FASD in Alberta. I feel incredibly lucky to contribute to this work and learn from those around me.
As I continue finalizing my thesis, I hope my findings will help shape more inclusive supports and services. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my research team, our community partners, and especially the individuals and caregivers who shared their stories with us. Your openness, strength, and insight are what make this work meaningful, and I’m truly honored to help carry your voices forward.
To learn more about my work, feel free to visit my website.
