4th Annual London & Region Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Conference

Breaking Stigma: Supporting Success in a Complex World.

 October 24 & 25, 2023

https://www.schulich.uwo.ca/ddp/research/london_and_region_fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder_conference/index.html

The abstract submission deadline is: Friday, August 18, 2023.

Submission Guidelines:  Please organize your abstract using the following headings: Title, Background & Research Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusions.  Abstracts should be double-spaced and use an 11-point font minimum.  The maximum word count is 250.  Please also include your name, affiliation, and contributing authors.  We will consider submissions for studies in progress, although preference will be given to completed projects.  

Prizes:  The best ePoster and the best oral presentation delivered by a trainee or junior faculty will each be awarded $250 and a certificate of recognition.

Questions regarding research abstract submissions can be directed to Palmer Taylor at palmer.taylor@ontario.ca 

For further information about the conference, please contact either Dr. Clare Mitchell at clare.mitchell@ontario.ca or Palmer Taylor at palmer.taylor@ontario.ca   

The research team at CanFASD has developed a guide which outlines current practices to support individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who are in treatment for substance use. In this guide, they provide consolidated and expanded knowledge regarding appropriate substance use treatment approaches for individuals with FASD. They adopt the perspective that individuals with FASD can benefit from treatment support that is well-suited to their unique neurodevelopmental needs. 

They are currently in the process of disseminating their guide and we would like to share it with you. Please feel free to use the link below to access the PDF of the guide. me know if you have any questions.

They are also adapting the guide into an online training module in the CanFASD e-learning portal and we will provide a link when it is ready.

Thank you to CanFASD and their team for sharing; Devyn Rorem, M.Ed | she/her Graduate Research Assistant School and Clinical Child Psychology Graduate Student Department of Educational Psychology University of Alberta

Are you a Canadian resident that has a child with a neurodevelopmental disorder that is 4-12 years old and has difficulties falling asleep and/or staying asleep? 

Better Nights, Better Days for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders is a free, online program based on behavioural principles that supports parents of children aged 4-12 years old with a neurodevelopmental disorder who experience difficulties falling and/or staying asleep.  

Our online program encourages positive behaviours that will help children achieve a better quality and quantity of sleep throughout the night. To see if the program is a good fit for you and your child, visit our website:   

Can I Participate? | BNBD (betternightsbetterdays.ca) 

13^th Annual Anishinabek G7 FASD Conference Call for Workshop Facilitators.  Please take a look at the attached poster for more information.

The London & Region FASD Conference Committee is pleased to announce they will be virtually hosting their 3rd Annual London & Region FASD Conference on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Save the Date: Registration Opens in August

Please find attached our Save the Date, Call for Workshops, and Call for Abstracts posters. This year’s theme is “Neurodiversity, Inclusivity, and Health Equity: Uncovering and Rediscovering FASD.”

This virtual event will include keynote sessions and break-out workshop sessions covering topics that are of interest to researchers, clinicians, and caregivers; poster/abstract presentations; information from regional agencies who work with families living with FASD; and the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people interested in the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.

FASD Conference 2022 – Save the Date

FASD Conference 2022 – Call for Abstracts

FASD Conference 2022 – Call for Workshops

Peer Consultation Roster (Pilot)

The FASD ONE Diagnostic Action Group is looking for multidisciplinary FASD practitioners who want to contribute to the development of diagnostic capacity and consistency for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the province of Ontario by being a FASD Peer Advisor!

As a FASD Peer Advisor you will provide practice specific, peer to peer consultation to other FASD diagnostic clinicians on an as needed basis.  FASD Peer Advisors are available to discuss complex clinical issues regarding FASD assessment and diagnosis within their field of practice.  

This is a one-year pilot project.  

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 1 year of relevant professional experience in FASD assessment.
• Commitment to review orientation materials
• Able to respond to requests for consultation within a reasonable turnaround time.   

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a member of FASD ONE Diagnostic Action Group Peer Advisor please provide:

• Your CV or Letter of Interest outlining your FASD assessment or relevant experience
• FASD Clinic affiliation
• Professional affiliation
• Contact Information

Please to forward your letter to any member of the Membership Committee below:

Valerie Temple: Valerie.Temple@surreyplace.ca

Brenda Stade: brenda.stade@outlook.com

Kelly Oreskovich: koreskovich@skhc.ca

Thank you for your interest! Candidates may be invited to meet virtually with the membership committee.

Please find below a link to the two Education Essentials documents from FASD ONE.

The English one can be found here and is also on our website under Publications. 

Their is also a French version: Éléments essentiels d’éducation pour les élèves atteints du TSAF : les préparer pour réussir 2021-04-03 FASD_Education_Essentials_FR_2021_3

If you are a School Board or local school and would like hard copies sent to you please email Mary Cunningham with the following information :

Your name, Mailing Address (with Postal Code),  # of English copies, # of French copies

  Mary Cunningham B.Ed. P.H.Ec.                            

Email Address: cunninghammary@rogers.com

 Dr. Mela and a team of researchers developed and published a psychotropic medication algorithm for FASD/PAE. The algorithm is an attempt to help address the ongoing issue of either improper medication for FASD, or over-medication and negative side effects. Dr. Mela and his team have been trying to recruit prescribers (physicians and nurse practitioners) to complete a short online evaluation survey on the algorithm, but participation has been low.  

We hope you can help by forwarding this information to others you know who would be eligible to participate.  The survey should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The research study is not limited to Canada, so international prescribers are able to participate.

There is no reimbursement for participation, but your input will help to refine the algorithm and make it more evidence-based. Most importantly, your participation will help to ensure that this study will continue.

Kinark is actively looking for a diverse group of family members (parents/caregivers, adult siblings, extended family members) with lived experience in caring for a child/youth living with:

• Mental Health challenges
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Involvement with the youth justice system
• Supervised Access

 The Family Advisory Committee and Family Network partner with Kinark to improve and enhance services and agency practices for children and youth.