The Northwest Regional Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Society, along with committed stakeholders, is hosting "Understanding the FASD Journey: Working Towards Success." This conference, taking place in High Level, Alberta, Canada (see map insert), features speakers from Western Canada and Oregon.
Conference goals are to provide participants with increased understanding and knowledge of :
- Intervention strategies for challenging behaviours.
- Community-based programs for FASD prevention.
- Early intervention programming to "Set up for Success."
- Practical plans for behavioural symptoms due to Brain-Based disorder.
- Multi-disciplinary FASD assessment/diagnosis in remote, rural communities.
- Transitioning through the life span of those affected with FASD.
Who should attend?
This conference will be of interest to:
Teachers and Educational Providers
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers
Community Members
Health Care Providers
Social Service Providers
Individuals affected by FASD
Justice System Workers
Early Intervention programs
Pre and Post-Natal Service Providers
Employers
 Program
If you'd like a printed copy of this program, please click on Program to open a PDF document and then print it out.
Friday, June 1
7:45 am - 8:20 am Registration
8:30 am - 9:15 am Welcome and opening remarks
Friday Morning Sessions
Choose 1/2 day Nathan Ory session or 2 concurrent sessions |
9:30 am - 12:30 pm (with 20 minute break)
(1/2 day session)
Challenging Behaviour in Persons with FASD: Subtle Thinking Handicaps, Dependent Functioning and Maladaptive Coping Styles. What You See is Not What You Get.
Nathan Ory, MA, Registered Psychologist, Vancouver Island Health Authority, Mental Health and Addictions Services, Island Mental Health Support Team, Victoria, B.C.
In persons with FASD, the extreme range between relative strengths and weaknesses reflects underlying organic brain dysfunction. The resulting functional disabilities do not make common sense, but they do make "brain damaged sense." Focus is on how to recognize and properly support these individuals. Maladaptive coping styles can appear as "counterfeit conduct disorders."
9:30 am - 11:00 am
(Concurrent sessions-choose one)
Collaborating to Enhance FASD Prevention in Addictions Treatment
Jo-Ann Nelson, Health Partnerships Coordinator, Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), Edmonton, AB
The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission is a provincial agency of the Government of Alberta. AADAC recently implemented enhanced treatment services for pregnant women using substances and women at risk for using substances in childbearing years. The role of collaboration in service delivery to support FASD prevention is explored.
On Being Part of the Solution: Considerations for Justice and FASD
Diane Malbin, MSW, Executive Director, FASCETS Inc., Portland, Oregon
Thousands of research studies from around the world have confirmed and clarified that FASD is, by definition, a primary (invisible) physical condition with presenting neurobehavioural characteristics. This session explores implications of FASD in justice, the current context within which information on FASD is emerging and the dynamic role of the courts for contributing to solutions - including decreased recidivism and ultimately prevention of FASD.
Building a Wheelchair for the Brain
Jan Lutke, Senior FASD Consultant, Connections: Serving Adolescents and Adults with FASD. Surrey, B.C.
Accepting that FASD is a permanent physical condition requiring on-going support allows one to consider how best to create support mechanisms - wheelchairs and crutches - for the brain. Such an approach to supporting changes in function must apply a thoughtful and conscious awareness of brain dysfunction. Creating structural crutches and wheelchairs that encourage and support rather than hinder strength-based brain function can allow individuals with FASD to optimize their functional abilities in their own environments. Simple techniques can have large pay-offs in self esteem.
Break 11:00 am - 11:15 am
11:15 am - 12:30 pm
(Concurrent sessions-choose one)
Linking "Brain" with "Behaviour" and Improving Outcomes: Interventions for FASD as a Physical Disability
Diane Malbin
Findings of a three- year preliminary study suggest that a neurobehavioural approach implemented as part of a community-based collaborative design has potential. Development and application of accommodations for those with FASD, creating a goodness of fit across environments, appears to contribute to improvements in children and adults and their relationships. Most approaches to supporting changes in behaviour do not include conscious recognition of brain dysfunction and associated primary and secondary behavioural characteristics.
Supporting FASD Prevention Through the Delivery of Community-Based Training for Substance Abuse Issues.
Jo-Ann Nelson
AADAC's Help Guide and Help Kit were designed to provide practical information, screening and intervention tools for professionals, including community service providers, who work with women with substance use concerns. An overview of the Help Guide and Help Kit package, and the training that is delivered to professionals will be provided. AADAC s experiences with the delivery of the Help Kit training in the community, including how training sessions continue to evolve and are tailored to meet the requirements of a range of service providers responding to the needs of women in their communities, will be shared in this session.
Lunch 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
(12:30 - 1:30 for those attending Diane Malbin's afternoon session)
Friday Afternoon Sessions
Choose 1/2 day Diane Malbin session or 2 concurrent sessions |
1:30 pm - 5:00 pm (with 15 minute break)
(1/2 day session)
Applied Theory: Integrating Understanding of FASD into Parenting, Practice and Program Design: Practical Application of a Neurobehavioural Approach
Diane Malbin
This advanced workshop is for participants who understand FASD as a brain-based disorder with behavioural characteristics and values, attitudes, expectation and techniques, identify strengths and needs and develop a plan for operationalizing neurobehavioural approaches in all settings.
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
(Concurrent sessions-choose one)
What Emergency Mental Health Workers Need to Know about Persons with Mental Handicaps and Developmental Brain Injury (FASD)
Nathan Ory
Comparison of cognitive function in "normal" and "organically impaired;" arousal patterns; atypical emotional characteristics common in persons with intellectual disabilities; outline of mental health and behavioural procedures to assist persons to get calm, get safe, and get back to their routines.
Multi-Disciplinary FASD Assessment and Diagnostic Team Model in Rural/Remote Areas:
A model for community-based teams.
Northwest Regional (NWR) FASD Society Diagnostic Team; Dr. Leigh Wincott, Pediatrician
FASD diagnosis and support requires a multidisciplinary team. The training process and team development used in a rural/remote region will be discussed as well as the impact this model has for community stakeholders. Team Pediatrician, Dr. Leigh Wincott, gives information on how early, accurate diagnosis can maximize positive outcomes.
Helping Kids Soar: Early Intervention and Respite Program for Children
Jacqui Deib, Behavioural Consultant, Renfrew Educational Services, Calgary, AB
Susan Hendrickson, Psychology Assistant, Program Facilitator, Renfrew Educational Services, Calgary, AB
Renfrew Educational Services is a non-profit agency with five school locations throughout Calgary. In our presentation, we will offer a look at our "Stepping out on Saturday" (SOS) respite program for children and families dealing with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD) and other complex needs; the referral process; programming, and the strategies that we have in place. We will also share information about our Early Intervention Program for Children with FASD, including programming and strategies. Participants will learn strategies that can be used in home, preschool and community settings. This workshop is suitable for parents and professionals with varied levels of knowledge.
Break 3:30 - 3:45 pm
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm
(Concurrent sessions-choose one)
Building a Wheelchair for the Brain
Jan Lutke
Repeat of 9:30 am session
Helping Kids Soar: Early Intervention and Respite Program for Children
Jacqui Deib and Susan Hendrickson
Repeat of 2:00 pm session
Saturday, June 2
8:00 am - 8:30 am Registration
8:30 am - 9:00 am Welcome and remarks
Saturday Morning Sessions
These are all 1/2 day sessions |
9:30 am - 12:30 pm (with 20 minute break)
(Concurrent sessions - choose one
Challenging Behaviour in Persons with FASD: Subtle Thinking Handicaps, Dependent Functioning and Maladaptive Coping Styles. What You See is Not What You Get.
Nathan Ory
Repeat of Friday 9:30 am session
Applied Theory: Integrating Understanding of FASD into Parenting, Practice and Program Design: Practical Application of a Neurobehavioural Approach
Diane Malbin
Repeat of Friday 1:30 pm, sesssion
Forward Focused Transition Planning: Things to Think About, Things to Do, Things to Avoid
Jan Lutke
Life with persons with FASD is a series of transitions, and if you are not moving in the direction you want, you may be moving in one you don't want. To maximize positive outcome potential, there are key things to consider in transition planning. While the focus will be on transition planning for adolescents facing adulthood, the issues discussed are equally useful at all ages. This session will explore what transition planning is, and is not, what it can do and cannot do; what needs to be done, when, by whom, and why.
Lunch 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm
Saturday Afternoon Sessions
|
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
(Concurrent sessions-choose one)
Note on Focus groups
These groups will focus on relevant issues that affect caregivers, support workers, educators, and others. The groups will provide opportunities to discuss educational, behavioural management, parenting, and advocacy topics in a facilitated group format. These sessions would particulary interest those individuals caring for or working with youth or adults with FASD.
Focus group
Diane Malbin
Discussion around attitudes, expectations, and strategies such as "Trying Differently, Not Harder".
Focus group
Jan Lutke
Small group discussion around being effective advocates across many systems and how caregivers can develop comprehensive wrap-around supports for their children. Jan will draw on her many years of experience raising children with FASD.
Focus group
Nathan Ory
Individual case management strategies for those dealing with challenging behaviours and maladaptive coping styles.
Helping Kids Soar: Early Intervention and Respite Program for Children
Jacqui Deib and Susan Hendrickson
Repeat of Friday afternoon 2:00 pm and 3:45 pm sessions
Break 3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm Closing Session
Speakers' Biographies
If you'd like a printed copy of the speakers biographies, please click on the above link to open a PDF document and then print it out.
Nathan Ory
Nathan Ory is a psychologist registered in British Columbia who has close to 30 years experience working with children who have developmental disabilities. He has practical and specialized experience working with individuals who have autistic spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, extremely challenging behavior and/or diagnosis with a concurrent mental illness. Since 1990, he has been a member of the inter-disciplinary Island Mental Health Support Team which assists persons to remain in their community settings. Nathan is an international presenter. He has published a book, "Working with People with Challenging Behavior" .
Diane Malbin
Diane Malbin provides consultation, education and program development on FASD nationally and internationally. She was principal investigator for a successful FASD interventive study and is currently working as consultant on various public and private FASD initiatives. The Oregon chapter of the National Association of Social Workers named Diane Malbin Social Worker of the Year, 2005 and she is in the NOFAS Hall of Fame for her work in the field of FASD. In addition to her professional work, Diane Malbin is parent of two daughters with FASD.
Jan Lutke
Jan Lutke is the past co-chair of the former National Advisory Committee on FASD to
Health Canada. She is also the founder and former director of the FAS Support
Network of B.C. and the founder and Senior Consultant of FASD Connections, an
organization dedicated to helping adoloscents and adults with FASD and their
families. In addition to sitting on numerous provincial and national advisory
committees with respect to FASD, Jan brings a wealth of experience, information and
practical strategies on this subject. She and her husband have fostered for 38
years and have adopted 13 children, ranging from 15 years - 35 years of age.
Jo-Ann Nelson
Jo-Ann Nelson is currently a Coordinator with AADAC's Health Partnerships Unit working out of Edmonton. Jo-Ann has been with the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission for 17 years in various positions working with northern field offices, Youth Services, Funded Services and most recently, Health Partnerships. Jo-Ann represents AADAC on the provincial FASD Cross-Ministry Committee and the Canada Northwest FASD Partnership Steering Committee.
Jacqui Deib
Jacqui has worked in the Special Education field since coming to Canada from Scotland eighteen years ago. She has been with Renfrew
Educational Services for fifteen years working with children with a variety of special needs and for the last six years her main focus has been FASD. Jacqui is a Behavioural Consultant with Renfrew's FASD Specialized Services program, Program Coordinator for the "Stepping Out on Saturday" (SOS) Respite Day Camp for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and co-author of a social skills curriculum for children with FASD.
Susan Hendrickson
Susan has worked with children of all ages with a variety of special needs for over 12 years. She is currently employed with Renfrew Educational Services as a Psychology Assistant within the classroom program for preschoolers, Program Facilitator for the "Stepping Out on Saturday" (SOS)Respite Day Camp for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders(FASD), and Clinical Service Coordinator for the in home Specialized Autism Services program. Susan is currently completing her Master's Degree in Applied Psychology, specializing in the area of stress and coping in parents with children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
All conference activities will be held at the High Level Public School, 9701 - 105 Ave.
 Printable map to the High Level Public School
If you'd like a printed copy of the above map, please click on this link to open a PDF document and then print it out.
The service area of our region is located in the far Northwestern corner of Alberta, Canada, with long distances between small population centres and some areas accessible only by airplane. This area is roughly the size of New Brunswick. It is over 116, 000 sq kms, bound by the NWT border 191 km to the North, the B.C. border to the west, the farming community of Keg River to the south and the communities of John D'or Prairie, Fox Lake and Garden River to the east. Our inland location is approximately 800 kms north of Edmonton and serves a market area of about 22,000 people.
The economy of the region is strong, built on the forestry, petroleum, gas, and agriculture industries. The demographics of our region are highlighted by diversity and rapid change. This area has one of the lowest population densities in Alberta, but the annual growth rate exceeds that of the provincial average by 50%. The oldest community in Alberta, Fort Vermillion, is east on Hwy. 58. Rainbow Lake and Zama experience growth from the development of massive reserves of oil and natural gas. 23 percent of our population speaks neither English nor French as a first language (2001 census) and 22 percent of the residents are Aboriginal.
Our particular geography, economics and demographics significantly influence our work to lower the incidence of FASD throughout the region.
Funding Support Provided By
We Gratefully Acknowledge Our Sponsors
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