Newsletter - March 2022
Tip of the Month
It's important for parents and teachers of children with FASD to remember that your child may be able to repeat back word for word what the rule is. That doesn't mean their brain processed the words and they understand it. Be prepared to break it down and teach in a different way. Try showing rather than just saying what to do.
FMF Connect Enrollment
There is still time to participate! Sign up before it’s too late!
Participants needed for a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) for FMF Connect!
Are you a parent or caregiver of a child aged 3-12 with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE)? You may be eligible for this study!
FMF Connect is an app designed to help parents and caregivers of children with FASD or PAE by providing useful information to manage their children’s condition and gain peer support.
FMF Connect is looking to enroll caregivers in the United States who have an iOS device (iPhone or iPad). This trial would include completing surveys and testing out the app on your time! Monetary compensation is available for participants.
Already enrolled? Help us spread the word! You can send other parents and caregivers to our website or have them email us!
Please email fmfconnect@urmc.rochester.edu if you have any questions.
Stars for Starla - “When you count the stars, begin with yourself.”
Stars for Starla is national FASD awareness and fundraising campaign by FASD United. It recognizes youth with FASD for their unique strengths and accomplishments. The award aims to send positive messages to youth with FASD and raise the public’s understanding and awareness about FASD.
Starla was a young girl with FASD. She encountered stigmas and misunderstanding in her life, and she felt this needed to be stopped. Starla was an active advocate for FASD. She wanted everyone in the community to be educated on FASD and be more aware of this often hidden disability. Please help honor her life by spreading the word about FASD and recognizing the strengths in people with FASD.
Anyone can nominate a youth with FASD for the Star Award at https://nofaspolicycenter.org/stars-for-starla-awards/. FASD United will mail out a beautiful personalized certificate recognizing their strength or victories.
Research Corner
Characterizing adverse childhood experiences among children and adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Katherine Flannigan, Aamena Kapasi, Jacqueline Pei, Isabel Murdoch, Gail Andrew, Carmen Rasmussen.
Individuals with FASD and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) often experience more adverse life events than the general population. In order to better understand the adverse childhood experiences in this population, researchers in Canada collected data from 333 children and adolescents with PAE.
The researchers used the Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire (ACE-Q) to measure childhood adversity. It included 3 categories of adversity: abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), household dysfunction (substance use, violence, incarceration, mental health, not raised by both biological parents) and neglect (physical, emotional). In addition to the standard ACE-Q, the researchers also examined caregiver disruption, which was defined as the child moved out of the biological home other than divorce or remarriage.
The results showed that most children and adolescents in this study experienced at least one adverse childhood event. The most common adversities were not being raised by both biological parents and caregiver disruptions. The number of adverse events increased with age and number of living placements. Females were more likely to experience childhood adversity than males.
These findings are important for FASD practice and policy. Early diagnosis is highly encouraged. Evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions and supports are needed for FASD. Service providers and families should be equipped with resources, supports and training to support the health of individuals with PAE and FASD.
Spring Activities Ideas
Spring has sprung! Let’s shake off the winter blues and do some fun family activities! Here are some ideas!
- Do some gardening. Plant some flowers in your yard or flowerpots with your children! It’s great opportunity for them to feel the texture of soil and get involved in taking care of the flowers!
- Fly a kite. Pick a cute kite with your children and go to an open field to fly the kite! It’s so much fun to run around and get the kite flying high in the air!
- Pick berries. Go to a nearby farm and have a little competition with your children to pick up berries! You can also make homemade berry jam together using the berries you pick (if you don’t eat them all first)!
- Do some crafts. Do some fun spring-themed crafts with your kids! For example, you can use some tissue paper and cardboard tubes to make some flowers or make hanging raindrops from paper and string!
- Put on some rain boots and a raincoat and slash around in some puddles! Not only is it fun for kids, but parents can have a good time letting out their inner child. A great way to get out some energy even on a rainy day! Just make sure you’re not out during a thunderstorm.
Let’s get outdoors and enjoy the spring weather!