Coming Soon: Untangling FASD, Trauma, and Emotional/Behavioural Dysregulation

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a complex condition that can affect an individual’s learning and problem solving, communication, motor skills, and social abilities.

However, the most significant impact arises when alcohol disrupts early brain development in areas responsible for controlling emotions and behaviour.

This impact is even more pronounced when FASD and trauma occur together. Trauma-informed care can support children with strong emotional reactions by helping them build safe and trusting relationships and learn self-regulation skills.

However, for a child with FASD, the underlying challenges make it harder for them to regulate themselves, and they may not respond to these strategies or show progress. This can leave caregivers feeling disempowered and frustrated.

In this webinar CETC brings together three professionals with different perspectives in a conversation about the brain and behaviour. We will be exploring questions including:

• What’s the difference between the effects of FASD and trauma, and can we really tell?
• How can neuroscience help us understand the brain-behaviour connection?
• Neuroplasticity – can the brain repair itself?
• What approaches to behaviour support are most effective?
• How can we support children with FASD to recover from trauma?
• Is FASD a helpful or a limiting diagnosis? What about hope for the future?

RACP Guidelines for preventative activities in general practice

This RACGP accredited webinar from the Adelaide PHN aims to support primary health care professionals to provide accurate information, assessment, and support to reduce the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) from maternal exposure to alcohol prior to conception, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

FASD can have serious, lifelong complications for health, development, and learning; and it’s diagnosis is complicated by symptoms shared with other neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.

FASD: The hidden disability you may see in out-of-home care

This online webinar hosted by CETC and NOFASD Australia was held on 5th September 2022 and included speakers:

Sophie Harrington – NOFASD Australia – Introduction to FASD and why it’s an issue for Out of Home Care

Neil Reynolds – Carer and educator – Why it’s important for professionals working in OOHC to understand FASD and what support carers need

Dr Robyn Williams – Senior Research Fellow, Curtain University – Supporting Aboriginal Kinship Carers in the light of systematic challenges, and some ways forward

Prue Walker – FASD specialist, CETC – The research – prevalence and impact of FASD in OOHC; diagnosis and implications

Dr Vanessa Spiller – Clinical Psychologist and carer – An approach to supporting children, young people and families – effective strategies and resources.

Latrobe Uni FASD awareness day event 2021

This free webinar, sponsored by the La Trobe University Rural Health School, aimed to help health and community service professionals by providing a wide range of information on FASD. The webinar was held on 9 September, 2021.

Part 2: Dr Katrina Harris  FASD Diagnosis

Part 4: Prue Walker FASD Practice Approaches