Our program for men living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Our program for men living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Learn about our program below

Ou program for men living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Our program for men living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Learn about our program below

About FASD and our program

FASD is a disability that can occur when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy. It is a lifelong, brain-based, and often invisible disability. FASD can occur in families from any culture, ethnicity, or socio-economic background.

Our program provides:

  • Assessment of Strengths and Needs: We conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the individual’s strengths, challenges, and needs across cognitive, emotional, social, and functional areas. This includes evaluating domains such as memory, executive functioning, and sensory processing.
  • Personalized Goals: We work closely with residents to set realistic, meaningful goals that align with their abilities and aspirations. These goals are regularly reviewed and adjusted as progress is made.

  • Recognizing Past Trauma: Many individuals with FASD have experienced trauma (prenatal or postnatal), so it’s essential to approach with sensitivity, avoiding practices that may be triggering.
  • Building Trust: A trauma-informed approach involves building strong, trusting relationships with our residents to promote safety, stability, and emotional well-being.

  • Focusing on Abilities: We prioritize resident strengths and focus on what they can do rather than what they cannot. For instance, individuals may excel in visual learning or hands-on tasks, which are then incorporated into the action plan.
  • Empowerment: We encourage self-advocacy and decision-making to help residents gain confidence.

  • Routine and Predictability: Individuals with FASD often struggle with impulse control and executive functioning. Structured routines and clear expectations help reduce anxiety and increase the ability to follow through on daily tasks.
  • Visual Supports: We use visual aids like calendars, task checklists, and schedules to support memory and comprehension.

  • Holistic Support: Staff work within a team of people, including healthcare providers, mental health specialists, and social workers, to ensure a holistic approach to care. This ensures that all aspects of the individual’s life—medical, educational, and social—are considered.
  • Advocacy: We advocate for accommodations in vocational, work, and community settings, ensuring residents receive appropriate resources and support.

  • Family Education: When wanted by the individual, we involve families in conditional release planning and provide education on the process and FASD in general.
  • Community Integration: Residents are encouraged to engage with their community, building social connections and gaining access to recreational, vocational, and therapeutic resources.

  • Policy Advocacy: We advocate for system-level changes, such as improving access to FASD-informed services in healthcare, education, and the justice system. Advocacy for disability accommodations while on conditional release can be crucial for individuals with FASD.

  • Ongoing Evaluation: We continuously assess progress, adjusting goals and strategies to ensure the best possible outcomes. Regular check-ins help maintain accountability and engagement.

  • Respecting Cultural Contexts: We incorporate culturally appropriate services and acknowledge the individual’s background and experiences.

Primary disabilities are caused directly by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. They are organized under the following four categories: physical, cognitive, behavioural, and sensory. For most folks, FASD is hidden from others – we cannot see the physical changes to the brain or the changes in brain functioning. What is most problematic is that the invisibility of FASD creates a barrier to acceptance and understanding. As a result, people with FASD do not get the support they need.

Secondary challenges develop as a result of living in a world that often does not recognize that behaviour and limitations are linked to the primary disabilities of FASD. When FASD is not recognized, expectations cannot be met because of brain differences, with the result being continuous failure. This process contributes to secondary challenges that tend to stack up over and above the struggles associated with the primary disabilities. We see several types of secondary challenges such as mental health problems, disrupted school experiences, addictions, social isolation, struggles with employment, homelessness, as well as victimization and involvement in the justice system.

We need to adapt our way of thinking in order to understand the disability. Our FASD program recognizes the disability and is designed to nurture a sense of self-empowerment and independence, and a focus on each individual’s unique strengths rather than conventional expectations. We recognize that independence looks different for everyone, especially those living with FASD. Our approach prioritizes helping individuals develop personalized strategies to overcome sensory, cognitive, and social challenges, allowing them to confidently navigate daily life. By providing trauma-informed support and fostering self-awareness, we help participants build resilience, forge meaningful connections, and take control of their personal journey toward thriving in their community.
(adapted from https://www.saskfasdnetwork.ca/resources)

About FASD and our program

FASD is a disability that can occur when alcohol is consumed during pregnancy. It is a lifelong, brain-based, and often invisible disability. FASD can occur in families from any culture, ethnicity, or socio-economic background.

Our program provides:

  • Assessment of Strengths and Needs: We conduct comprehensive assessments to understand the individual’s strengths, challenges, and needs across cognitive, emotional, social, and functional areas. This includes evaluating domains such as memory, executive functioning, and sensory processing.
  • Personalized Goals: We work closely with residents to set realistic, meaningful goals that align with their abilities and aspirations. These goals are regularly reviewed and adjusted as progress is made.

  • Recognizing Past Trauma: Many individuals with FASD have experienced trauma (prenatal or postnatal), so it’s essential to approach with sensitivity, avoiding practices that may be triggering.
  • Building Trust: A trauma-informed approach involves building strong, trusting relationships with our residents to promote safety, stability, and emotional well-being.

  • Focusing on Abilities: We prioritize resident strengths and focus on what they can do rather than what they cannot. For instance, individuals may excel in visual learning or hands-on tasks, which are then incorporated into the action plan.
  • Empowerment: We encourage self-advocacy and decision-making to help residents gain confidence.

  • Routine and Predictability: Individuals with FASD often struggle with impulse control and executive functioning. Structured routines and clear expectations help reduce anxiety and increase the ability to follow through on daily tasks.
  • Visual Supports: We use visual aids like calendars, task checklists, and schedules to support memory and comprehension.

  • Holistic Support: Staff work within a team of people, including healthcare providers, mental health specialists, and social workers, to ensure a holistic approach to care. This ensures that all aspects of the individual’s life—medical, educational, and social—are considered.
  • Advocacy: We advocate for accommodations in vocational, work, and community settings, ensuring residents receive appropriate resources and support.

  • Family Education: When wanted by the individual, we involve families in conditional release planning and provide education on the process and FASD in general.
  • Community Integration: Residents are encouraged to engage with their community, building social connections and gaining access to recreational, vocational, and therapeutic resources.

  • Policy Advocacy: We advocate for system-level changes, such as improving access to FASD-informed services in healthcare, education, and the justice system. Advocacy for disability accommodations while on conditional release can be crucial for individuals with FASD.

  • Ongoing Evaluation: We continuously assess progress, adjusting goals and strategies to ensure the best possible outcomes. Regular check-ins help maintain accountability and engagement.

  • Respecting Cultural Contexts: We incorporate culturally appropriate services and acknowledge the individual’s background and experiences.

Primary disabilities are caused directly by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. They are organized under the following four categories: physical, cognitive, behavioural, and sensory. For most folks, FASD is hidden from others – we cannot see the physical changes to the brain or the changes in brain functioning. What is most problematic is that the invisibility of FASD creates a barrier to acceptance and understanding. As a result, people with FASD do not get the support they need.

Secondary challenges develop as a result of living in a world that often does not recognize that behaviour and limitations are linked to the primary disabilities of FASD. When FASD is not recognized, expectations cannot be met because of brain differences, with the result being continuous failure. This process contributes to secondary challenges that tend to stack up over and above the struggles associated with the primary disabilities. We see several types of secondary challenges such as mental health problems, disrupted school experiences, addictions, social isolation, struggles with employment, homelessness, as well as victimization and involvement in the justice system.

We need to adapt our way of thinking in order to understand the disability. Our FASD program recognizes the disability and is designed to nurture a sense of self-empowerment and independence, and a focus on each individual’s unique strengths rather than conventional expectations. We recognize that independence looks different for everyone, especially those living with FASD. Our approach prioritizes helping individuals develop personalized strategies to overcome sensory, cognitive, and social challenges, allowing them to confidently navigate daily life. By providing trauma-informed support and fostering self-awareness, we help participants build resilience, forge meaningful connections, and take control of their personal journey toward thriving in their community.
(adapted from https://www.saskfasdnetwork.ca/resources)

FASD resources

Click on the links below to access the resources.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder & Justice

The Asante Centre

Canada FASD Research Network

FASD Network

Our Daytox Program

Our Daytox Program

Learn about the program.