This blog was written by Vanessa Sandoval.
At the Big Thinking Summit, Dr. Melissa Tremblay and I shared her research and evaluation work around an Alberta-based project providing FASD services and education to better support people with FASD in the criminal legal system.
What is the Big Thinking Summit?
The summit was held in Edmonton, Alberta, from June 9th to June 11th, 2026. This event engaged a range of interest-holders in humanities and social science research. Dr. Tremblay’s presentation shared the outcomes of the Willow Winds Support Network’s (WWSN) In Reach Project in the Networks of Change stream. This stream highlights research that tackles real-world issues through cross-sector partnerships.
The In Reach Project
The In Reach project provides ongoing FASD-specific services to support staff and individuals with FASD in the criminal-legal system (CLS). Since 2017, the WWSN’s In Reach Project has supported correctional facilities and remand centers in Edmonton, Alberta, and surrounding areas. Dr. Tremblay’s findings showed the substantial impact of the In Reach Project:
- FASD education sessions were delivered to 1,755 staff and 5,519 incarcerated individuals.
- 232 FASD assessments were completed.
- 249 CLS-involved individuals worked with a transitional mentor while re-entering their communities.
During interviews, In Reach partners and CLS-involved participants expressed their appreciation for the assessment services and transitional mentorship provided. These initiatives unlocked a range of resources and services for participants, which left them feeling hopeful about their future.
However, one key point from the presentation sparked the audience’s curiosity: the CLS failing people with FASD because it is not designed around neurodiversity.
Answering Questions: FASD and Neurodiversity
The question and answer (Q&A) session reflected the ongoing conversation about neurodiversity in the FASD field. As a neurodivergent researcher, I questioned how my experiences and existing discourse shaped my understanding. To me, neurodiversity is a broad, inclusive concept that normalizes the variation in how both neurotypical and neurodivergent people think about, process, and experience the world.
Before the Q&A session, I was unaware of how the concept has sometimes been framed in exclusionary ways that only recognize natural brain-based differences. I also learned that neurodiversity discourse has sometimes excluded individuals with complex support needs, whose experiences with disability are shaped not only by societal barriers but also by concerns that require ongoing medical care, therapeutic interventions, and daily support.
To me, the Q&A session highlighted the importance of not assuming a shared understanding of neurodiversity. Learning about these diverse perspectives increased my awareness of the ongoing and often contentious conversations about who is genuinely included within the neurodiversity movement and whose experiences may still be marginalized, overlooked, or even actively ignored. Since individuals with FASD have been left out of this conversation, it’s becoming increasingly important to understand how they view their identities in relation to neurodiverse labels and communities.
Neurodiversity and Restorative Justice
Alongside discussions about neurodiversity, our attendance at the Big Thinking Summit encouraged our research team to explore another angle to our research: restorative justice as an alternative approach for people with conditions that fall under the neurodivergent umbrella.
Restorative justice encourages voluntary conversations between offenders, victims, and communities to understand the causes and consequences of crime and to repair the harm caused. Victims are empowered to define how offenders can make amends, while communities are responsible for supporting victims, holding offenders accountable, and fostering a safer environment by addressing the root causes of crime and promoting peaceful reintegration.
Reflecting on neurodiversity helped in understanding its connection to restorative justice principles and practices. Restorative justice and a neurodiversity framework align on core values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. However, if restorative justice processes are not FASD informed, they may not offer balanced opportunities for equal participation. More research is needed to understand best practices in restorative justice to accommodate neurodivergent individuals including those with FASD.
Ultimately, research that is grounded in lived experiences will be critical for addressing these gaps in the field. However, the In Reach Project’s culturally sensitive and trauma-informed services are a promising approach to meeting the diverse needs of CLS-involved individuals with FASD. Overall, programs that offer diagnostic-assessment services and community reintegration support may help support the goals and processes of restorative justice when neurodivergent individuals are involved.
Looking Forward
The Big Thinking Summit offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on and learn more about neurodiversity in relation to FASD and restorative justice. I expect these reflections to evolve as I progress with my master’s thesis, focusing on the experiences of CLS-involved individuals who have received an FASD assessment and diagnosis. I am looking forward to collaborating with the In Reach project, under the supervision of Dr. Melissa Tremblay, to contribute to the growing literature that is centering the voices of CLS-involved individuals with FASD.
Vanessa Sandoval is a master’s student in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Alberta in Treaty 6 Territory. Under the supervision of Dr. Melissa Tremblay, Vanessa has delved into new areas of research involving the criminal-legal system. For her master’s thesis, Vanessa has partnered with the Willow Winds Support Network to understand people’s experiences with FASD assessment and diagnostic services delivered within correctional settings.