News
French researchers meet with Canadian FASD experts
“A delegation of eight French researchers, medical doctors, and government officials has spent much of the week in Winnipeg meeting with local experts as that country tries to develop a national strategy for dealing with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder…. The French want to improve screening, education and treatment programs and are keenly interested in research being done at the University of Manitoba. France -- and other European countries -- is at least a decade behind Canada in these areas.” To read more, click here.
Article, Winnipeg Free Press, February 2013
Harper Government Invests in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Projects
Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa, announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, investments in two projects to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a lifelong disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
The first project, led by the Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network (CanFASD), will update diagnostic guidelines to include new FASD research and recommendations on how to diagnose young children and adults. For the first time ever, healthcare professionals in Canada and around the globe will have access to guidelines so they can diagnose individuals at any age.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Knowledge and Screening Practices of University Hospital Medical Students and Residents
A new study has recently been published with the purpose of evaluating the knowledge and screening practices of pre-clinical medical students and clinical providers on FAS, FASD, and alcohol consumption.
Results from the survey led to the conclusions that significant differences exist in the knowledge and screening practices of these different healthcare providers and trainees. Future interventions should seek to improve knowledge on FAS, FASD, and alcohol consumption, in order for practitioners to be more consistent with national guidelines and the Surgeon General recommendations.
To read more and to download this research, click here.
Alcohol: An unfortunate teratogen
Dr. Erin Tracy of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School writes this overview of the effects of prenatal alcohol use and FASDs, confusing messages to women in the media, addresses whether providers could be better informed, and discusses screening and intervention. The concluding paragraph reads: “There aren’t that many proven teratogens in our profession, and there are none that involve behavior that is more socially acceptable than alcohol consumption. It is time for our profession to encourage women to appreciate how small a percentage of one’s life is spent pregnant, how many more years there are to enjoy an occasional cocktail, and how very high the stakes are during this important period of their lives.”
To view the article, click here.
Murkowski's Advancing FASD Research, Prevention & Services Act- INTERVIEWs
Networking Evening: “Effective Advocacy Strengthens Community”
Networking Evening: “Effective Advocacy Strengthens Community”
Join other adoptive parents of people with FASD in a Family Support Institute facilitated workshop
designed to develop knowledge and skills that can assist parents in advocating for support and services.
Save the Date: Thursday April 11, 2013: 5:15pm- 9pm at the Family Support Institute,
Family Support Institute
227 6th Street
New Westminster, B.C.
Canada V3L 3A5
Tel: 604-540-8374 Fax: 604-540-9374
Toll free: 1-800-441-5403
E-mail: fsi@fsibc.com
Website: www.familysupportbc.com
A light meal and refreshments will be provided.
Totally Beautiful - a social group for young women with an FASD
Inclusive Social and Learning Group for Young Women with FASD
If you are a young woman aged 16 to 24 having difficulty finding inclusive social activities you may want to consider the Totally Beautiful Inclusive Social & Learning Group. Benefits:
Build self confidence and social skills Meet other young women your age and supportive peers The group will participate in six separate sessions and enjoy a light dinner, group discussions and fun breakout activities at each session The sessions run from February until April, 2013 and are free of charge.
Date: Feb 12, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Place: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, Surrey
Host: Soroptimist International of Surrey/Delta
Schedule:
Session 1 (5:30pm – 7:30pm) Feb 12th I can see your Beauty, can you see Mine?
The C.R.E.W.: Courageous. Respectful. Energy. Warriors
Inclusive Social and Learning Group for Young Men with FASD
If you are a young man aged 16 to 26 who is having difficulty finding inclusive social activities, you may want to consider The C.R.E.W. Inclusive Social & Learning Group. Benefits:
Build self confidence and social skills Meet other young men and supportive peers The group will participate in six separate sessions and will have light dinner, group discussions and fun breakout activities i.e. learn to play poker and outings in the community The sessions run from February until April, 2013 and are free of charge
Date: Feb 5, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Place: Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, Surrey
Host: Soroptimist International of Surrey/Delta
Schedule:
Session 1 (5:30pm-7:30pm) Tuesday, February 5th
Complex Developmental Behavioral Conditions & Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Forum
