In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper and fellow author & self-advocate Helen Simpson explore their personal journeys with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), the difference early diagnosis can make, and the importance of advocacy and community support. They share their experiences with bullying, the challenges of parenting children with FASD, and the need for more resources and understanding in the medical and educational systems. They also discuss the power of storytelling and literature in creating positive narratives for those affected by FASD, emphasizing the importance of compassion and support within the community.

Takeaways

Early diagnosis can significantly change the support and resources available to individuals with FASD.

Social challenges and bullying are common experiences for those with FASD.

Literature can empower children with FASD by providing positive narratives.

Advocacy is crucial for improving resources and support for individuals with FASD and their families.

Parenting children with FASD requires patience and understanding of their unique challenges.

Community support through social media has transformed advocacy for FASD.

There is a need for more programs focused on women in recovery from substance abuse.

Compassion and understanding are essential in addressing the challenges faced by birth mothers of children with FASD.

Self-care and finding joy are important for individuals living with FASD and their families.

If you want to reach Patti to discuss either FASD training or life coaching, you can schedule a call using this links: https://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/consultation . Additional training topics can be found on her website, www.patriciakasper.com .

If you want to pick up a copy of Patti’s book, Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations with Adults Living with FASD, go to either www.books.by/yourfasdcoach or Amazon (https://a.co/d/3XLnCyw ) Both are print-on-demand from a printer near you, but books.by pays its authors a few more dollars in royalties.

If you want to pick up a copy of ABC’s of FASD, here is Helen’s Amazon link: https://a.co/d/fXI9grB .

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living with FASD

01:46 Personal Journeys: Diagnosing FASD

09:28 The Impact of Diagnosis on Life

14:22 Creating Positive Narratives through Literature

20:41 Advocacy and Community Support

25:04 Parenting Challenges and Insights

30:41 Future Aspirations for FASD Awareness

36:34 Compassion and Understanding in the FASD Community