POPFASD TalkED

Paul Malette works at CBI Consultants, which provides person-centered, inclusive practices such as training, individual and class-wide programming, transitioning, and planning. These practices can help support the students we teach. From curriculums to supporting self-determination to Positive Behaviour Supports programming to TeenWork youth employment, CBI has programs that might be available to your student and/or school district.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shaniff Esmail PhD.MSc OT and discuss teaching sexual health to students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Dr. Esmail is an Ocucupational Therapist with clinical and reseaerch interest focusing primarily on sexuality and disability. Dr. Esmail is an engaging speaker who shares why it is essential to teach ALL students about sexual health, inlcuding those with FASD, and provides a variety of approaches and strategies for classroom teachers to consider.

Welcome to our podcast TalkEd! Included in the TALKeD podcast is a special series, titled “FASD Informed Classroom Strategies.” This series features BC educators sharing FASD Informed Strategies that are making a difference for students in their classrooms and schools. In this episode we talk with a BC Educator who shares her experience in implementing FASD-informed strategies. She also describes the positive outcomes of taking the training as a team and how that built knowledge and consistency in their approach. In this episode, the educator mentioned using the LEIC to support thier student. The LEIC Planning page is an informal tool that was created by the POPFASD team. It incorporates information from the field of FASD and effective student planning practices. The purpose for the tool is to guide a constructive and positive conversation about a student, focusing on the student's strengths and needs. The tool is most effectively used when all team members have a solid understanding of FASD. Click on "LEIC" to download the LEIC Planning tool (available in both French and English) - LEIC As well, the importance of addressing the environment also was shared as an important factor for supporting thier student. Here is a link for our Environment Brochure- a brochure that provides strategies for setting up a classroom environment to create a supportive environment for learners with FASD and complex learning needs (available in both French and English) -Environment Brochure

Welcome to our podcast TalkEd! Included in the TALKeD podcast is a special series, titled “FASD Informed Classroom Strategies.” This series features BC educators sharing FASD Informed Strategies that are making a difference for students in their classrooms and schools. In this episode we talk with Cheryl, an elementary school teacher, who is finding success using the S.T.O.P strategy to support one her students. For more information about the S.T.O.P strategy and other great strategies from Sarah Ward and Cognitive Connections, visit www.efpractice.com POPFASD can also provide BC educators with training on executive functioning - https://www.fasdoutreach.ca/training

This episode features Louise Loubier-Morin who is with SAFERA in Quebec. Louise and Meredith (POPFASD) discuss en français what SAFERA has planned for FASD DAY and why its so important. Although our French may not be overly fluent, we wanted to respect Canada's bilingualism and provide this conversation in French for our listeners. Jouir! As well, Annette Cormier with FASD Centre of Excellence NB has shared a recent interview in French. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/premiere/emissions/la-matinale with FASD Community coordinator and also parent of an adoptive child who is living with FASD.

All across Canada and US there are passionate people organizing great events and activities to raise awareness of FASD. This episode highlights some of those people and the organizations as they share what they have planned for FASD Day (and month). From coast-to-coast-to-coast we hear why it is important to participate in this events and continue to encourage our communities to be involved as we work together to change the conversation from one of stigma and shame to hope and success. In these episodes you'll find great ideas and inspiration to consider for FASD DAY 2020 or,of course, through out the year as we strive to provide support around education, prevention and services for those impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure. Show Notes: NB FASD Centre of Excellence website: http://www.vitalitenb.ca/en/points-service/health-centres-and-clinics/new-brunswick-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd-centre-excellence/videos-and-testimonies Links to our interviews in French: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/premiere/emissions/la-matinale with FASD Community coordinator and also parent of an adoptive child who is living with FASD. Annette Cormier, Maria DesRoche and Nadine Cormier (FASD Community Coordinators) https://www.cjse.ca/programmation/ppjj/

In this episode, we speak with Melissa and Malgosia (on location) who organized a fantastic FASD Day celebration in the park on Sunday. Melissa, a parent, saw that there wasn't anything currently planned for FASD Day in her community and wanted to create an opportunity for people to get together and not only learn and raise awareness, but also to celebrate those with FASD. She contacted the local Key Workers in the Fraser Valley and together they created a fantastic community event. Our second guest features POPFASD District Partner, Cori Christensen (SD 23), who along with FASD Awareness Committee organized a fun-filled family and community celebration in Kelowna to raise awareness of FASD. The FASD Awareness Committee is made up of families, supporters and community agencies including: ARC Programs, John Howard Society, Claro Family, Spec-Team Assessment Society, School District 23, MCFD and Interior Health.

A new POPFASD podcast series that focuses on the educator by providing short episodes that share practical strategies, relevant research and important information through an FASD-Informed Lens. These episodes are meant to be yet another way POPFASD can help support educators as they support the students in their classrooms and schools.