KITCHENER — A new support group for caregivers coping with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder will begin meeting this month, covering a range of topics related to the lifelong disability.
While parents and caregivers will have an opportunity to vent, the focus of the monthly meetings hosted by Lutherwood will be on problem solving.
“We really want to talk about how we can improve things,” said Rob MacDonald, resource co-ordinator at Lutherwood. “I want people to leave feeling a little bit better.”
MacDonald and caregivers will lead the group, which starts Sept. 19 and continues on the third Thursday of the month until March. It’s free, but registration is required.
“I think it’s helpful for the parents to hear the perspective of someone with lived experience,” MacDonald said of his co-facilitators.
People will realize there are a lot of common challenges, and the group will talk about those but also solutions and how to combine resources creatively to get the supported needed.
Each meeting will focus on a different topic, including how brain functioning is affected, strengths, transitions, safety and self-care. One night will feature adults living with the disorder.
People can attend all the sessions or whichever are most relevant.
“We cover a pretty broad range,” MacDonald said.
His hope is group will create a community as well as get information about resources available in Waterloo Region into the hands of families.
To register, call 519-749-2932 ext. 3336 or email rmacdonald@lutherwood.ca.
September is FASD Awareness Month. The disorder is the leading cause of developmental disability in Canada, with current studies suggesting between two and four per cent of Canadians have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
The term describes the effects on the brain and body of people exposed to alcohol in pregnancy. People with the lifelong disability experience challenges in daily living and need support to reach their potential.
Find out more at www.fasdwaterlooregion.ca.