Helping families with FASD connect - September 14th Issue

Courtney Taylor

   Cariboo Advisor

Friday was September 9^th - the ninth day of the ninth month, and somewhere along the lines someone in the medical industry decided it was most fitting to signify the nine months of pregnancy for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day.

The Child Development Centre hosted a BBQ outside the centre Friday afternoon for all parents, professionals and children affected by FASD to not only provide a little awareness but more importantly for support and to connect with one another.

 “We focus more on the child with FASD and educating them on their disability as well as their parents and give them support to help the kids,” said Scott McLaughlin, FASD Key Worker. He says there is prevention information available and they do educate, but on FASD Day the focus is more on

the kids.

FASD have always been thought as preventable, which is why there is negative stigma attached with the disorders, but the CDC feels it is more important to give support and a place for parents and children, which has no strings attached, no stigma and no judgment.

McLaughlin said he is happy to see more moms coming forward, admitting their mistake (by drinking alcohol during pregnancy) and getting help for their child, which he said is the best possible thing they can do for their child.

“A newer role, as of last year, is to educate kids themselves,” said McLaughlin. “They want answers, and this way they are their own advocate, but I always make it clear that FASD is not an excuse.”

He said the educating is about helping kids better understand why they are the way they are, and to help them understand how to better communicate to get the help they need to succeed.

Along with McLaughlin is his co-worker Ruth Shaw who works as a parent support worker. She helps connect parents together so they are not alone and have someone to talk with to have parental pier support.

McLaughlin needs someone to talk to or needs some complex information he goes to his clinical supervisor, Dr. Chris Montoya. Montoya is a neuro-psychologist who educates on the biology of FASD. 

He said ore than 60 people came to the BBQ on Friday, and that it was unique opportunity for parents and professionals to mingle and connect, which is so important to helping the kids.

He also said it’s important to note that most FASD children are intelligent, never get arrested and stay out of trouble, and it’s a small percentage that give FASD kids a bad reputation.

McLaughlin said he works to empower children affected with FASD with knowledge so they don’t become another negative statistic. 

FASD are caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and causes a wide assortment of disabilities. According to McLaughlin, only 10 % of FASD are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which has physical symptoms as well as mental. Most symptoms of FASD are invisible with children having a hard time thinking, and understanding everyday concepts such as cause and effect, complex social rules, and carrying thoughts from one place to another. 

Chris Montoya, Ruth Shaw, and Scott McLaughlin on the swing set during the BBQ put on at the Child Development Centre on Friday for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders day.