In spite of overrepresentation, people with FASD often go undetected in legal settings, as they may not show obvious physical characteristics and their impairments in mental functioning, while substantial, may be somewhat hidden. Unfortunately, this failure to detect FASD may result in poor treatment outcomes, increased risk of reoffending, and overall poorer health.
Trainee Series: Learning about FASD through the eyes of criminal justice professionals
In what follows, I discuss the novel and interesting perspectives of professionals working in the criminal justice system and how and why my findings affected my learning journey.
Trainee Series: Cannabis Use in Adults with FASD
Although anecdotal evidence indicates that high rates of cannabis use in adults with FASD, we have a lot of unanswered questions about the potential impacts of such use.
Trainee Series – Going Beyond Labels and Recognizing the Strengths of Individuals with FASD
While it is essential to recognize and address the challenges associated with FASD, a strength-based approach has allowed me to consider the unique strengths and positive characteristics of each individual with the disability.
Trainee Series: Considering Implicit Bias as a Mental Health Professional
As mental health professionals, it is our responsibility to engage in reflective practice and consider how assumptions, stigma, and implicit bias can impact our thinking and behaviour in the context of providing support to people with FASD.
Feature: Niall’s Favourite Accomplishment
I hosted a National event that has never been in the province of Saskatchewan history and later found out that it was also the first National event in the city of Warman’s history.
The Medium Really is the Message
My name is RJ Formanek, and I have FASD. As a person on the spectrum, I look forward to the chance for us all to get together and share experiences and knowledge about FASD, so September 9th is something I personally enjoy being able to participate in.
NB government commits $800,000 to FASD Center of Excellence while NS remains silent
As speaker after speaker stepped up to the podium, I was awestruck by this void. Why, I kept wondering, is no one else addressing this issue?
Guest Blog: Leading neurological issue in children remains widely ignored in Atlantic Canada
So here’s a riddle.
I am a neurological disorder that affects more children than Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome combined. My impact on the brain can present as a wide variety of symptoms including delays in cognition, behavioural outbursts and inability to regulate emotion. I am seldom diagnosed, often leaving children with no answer to the question “Why am I different from all the other kids”? I hide in the shadows and can impact almost anyone. I have no cure, and if I occur in a family from Atlantic Canada, there is almost nowhere they can turn to for help.
What am I?
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Brain Development, and Mental Health
Mental health challenges are common in children, youth, and adults with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). If these challenges are not treated, they can persist for many years. Many mental health problems first emerge in adolescence, but we don’t know a lot about exactly how and when mental health problems begin for people with PAE.