The Blog

Issue Individuals with FASD face a great deal of stigma because of their diagnosis, their perceived abilities, and society’s preconceived ideas of their character. The stereotypes and discrimination experienced by individuals with FASD is both external (i.e., in society) and internal (i.e., within the individual). Our newly released issue paper focuses on the ways individuals with FASD experience stigma, the … Read More

Dr. Mansfield Mela, MBBS, FWACP, MRC (Psych), MSc, FRCPCDr. Mansfield Mela is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Saskatchewan. His clinical practice is out of the Forensic Outpatient Clinic at University of Saskatchewan and the Forensic Inpatients Services at Regional Psychiatric Center, Saskatoon. Dr. Mela’s recent research studies include psychiatric drug use in sex offenders, FASD in forensic … Read More

The 4Y Program is a new program for youth living in Yellowknife. It is  a project of the Foster Family Coalition of the Northwest Territories, however it is not exclusive to youth in foster care. This program was created based on the obvious need of direct support for youth with FASD, especially in the area of transition planning and implementing … Read More

Background Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders experience diverse disabilities that are caused by cognitive impairments, attention and memory deficits, challenges in learning, communication and language. They also struggle with flexible thinking, decision-making, problem solving and working memory. Fortunately, with appropriate interventions, their attention, memory and learning skills can be significantly improved. ‘Metacognitive training interventions’ teach students to understand the … Read More

In order to prevent FASD, it is important for professionals who work with pregnant women, such as midwives and nurses, to properly screen for alcohol use, educate on the impact of alcohol use during pregnancy, and provide intervention support for pregnant women. The authors of this study surveyed 578 midwives, nurses, and nurse practitioners in the United States who provide … Read More

Recently, a personal story has been circulating the internet regarding a post on the interactive social media news platform, Reddit. The story outlines a restaurant waiter in the United States who provided a customer with ‘virgin’ cocktails (i.e., without alcohol), when she ordered alcoholic beverages, as the waiter believed the woman was pregnant. In Canada, there is no law against … Read More

CanFASD would like to introduce two new members to our Board of Directors: Dr. David Brown and Mr. Darren Joslin. David Brown (PhD) is a former Research and Evaluation Director with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. He has also worked as a research scientist with both BC Mental Health and Addictions Services and with the Department of Family Medicine at … Read More

CanFASD staff have recently put together a document for Caregivers of individuals with FASD, titled ‘How to Explain an FASD Diagnosis to your Child’. This resource is intended to help guide you in explaining FASD to your child with FASD, along with: What it means to be diagnosed with FASD How your child might react to the diagnosis Tips on … Read More

Piruqatigiit Resource Centre (Piruqatigiit) is a community based non-profit organization in Iqaluit, Nunavut, with comprehensive professional knowledge of and lived experience with FASD. They provide education, resources, programming and support for children, youth and adults with FASD and their loved ones. Piruqatigiit also provides FASD training for organizations to better support accessibility, equity and inclusion for people with suspected and … Read More

Background Evidence-based prevention programs are an important part of preventing future alcohol-exposed pregnancies, but there is currently limited evidence to support the effectiveness of these programs in rural communities. The researchers who conducted this study looked at how a program in Alberta, Canada, offering one-on-one mentoring and long-term home visits to rural and isolated First Nations communities, is suitable in … Read More