CanFASD Trainee Program

What Is Your Superpower? – Hannah Denberg

In 2023, Hannah wrote and published a children’s book about FASD called What Is Your Superpower?: Growing and Glowing with FASD. What started as her final project for the Trainee Program transformed into a passion project for Hannah. She set out to write a children’s book that celebrates the strengths, resilience, and growth of children with FASD. She writes:

“The process of writing this book was incredibly meaningful, as it reflects a combination of my personal research experiences with lived and living experiences. By collaborating with individuals with FASD and their support person(s) throughout the process, I ensured that the story truly reflected diverse perspectives and experiences. The book’s imagery is equally significant, as it is inspired by early discussions with my fellow CanFASD trainees. As we explored what FASD means to us, many shared photos of nature, including trees, flowers, and beautiful landscapes, that symbolized resilience and growth. I aimed to capture these powerful conversations and themes through the book’s visuals, using nature as a metaphor for the ways individuals with FASD grow and thrive. Together, the storyline and imagery beautifully convey the strength of the FASD community.” 

You can read more about the book and the story behind it on our blog. 100% of proceeds from What is Your Superpower? sales are being donated to CanFASD to help advance research, resources, and supports for individuals with FASD, their families, and the service providers working alongside them. 

2025 FASD Research Award Recipient – Chantel Ritter

Dr. Chantal Ritter was named the 2025 Dr. Sterling Clarren FASD Research Award recipient for her work exploring the strengths and protective factors of youth with FASD involved in the criminal legal system. Moving beyond deficit-focused views, her work emphasizes a strengths-based approach that advocates for holistic, inclusive interventions and policy reforms to empower youth with FASD and reduce recidivism. Key findings highlight individual character strengths, the importance of supportive relationships, and systemic factors that promote resilience and positive outcomes.

A member of the inaugural 2022 trainee cohort, Dr. Chantel Ritter has since completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the University of Guelph. She is now working as a psychologist, providing clinical support to children, youth, and families facing complex and co-occurring mental health challenges.