FASD is Complicated (with apologies to Jimmy Buffett)

When Helping Shows FASD is Complicated Life is complicated with its if’s and and’s and but’s. It’s alright to be crazy, just don’t let it drive you nuts… ~Jimmy Buffett Back in 2007, I discovered that the Wikipedia entries for FAS and FASD were sparse, meandering, and in need of updates (check out this older version for … Read more

FASD Elephant™ Bonus Track 03: KTOO Interview with Morgan Fawcett, Flute Player

Today’s podcast is an interview conducted by KTOO of Juneau, Alaska (U.S.) with Morgan Fawcett. Morgan is a 15 year old Native flute player who also happens to have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He describes it this way, “When I play the flute, it lowers my blood pressure and eases stress away. With fetal alcohol spectrum … Read more

FASD Elephant™ #010: The Primary Disabilities of FASD

People with FASD (including FAS) have both primary and secondary disabilities. Primary disabilities are those with which the person is born, such as seizures, sensory integration problems, etc. These are a direct result of the brain damage from prenatal alcohol exposure, and the topic of today’s podcast. Feedback or comments may be sent to: Michael__at__FASDElephant__dot__com.

FASD Elephant™ #009: Preparing for an FASD Evaluation

Thinking about obtaining an FASD Evaluation? Today’s podcast talks about how to prepare for one. These evaluations often have long waiting lists and take just as long to complete. Here is a guide on how you can prepare for an evaluation, make it as thorough as possible, and hopefully speed the process up a bit. … Read more

FASD Elephant™ #008: The FASD Wheel™ – The Ten Brain Domains of FAS and FASD

The Ten Brain Domains Today’s podcast reviews the Ten Brain Domains of FAS and FASD in a little more depth; it is still an overview but gives more flesh to the domains in the context of completing an FASD Wheel. This is the third of a multi-part series edited from a workshop on the FASD … Read more

FASD Elephant™ #007: The FASD Wheel™ – Brain Functioning

Today’s podcast reviews brain functioning and how it can be affected by FASD. This is the second of a multi-part series edited from a workshop on the FASD Wheel (TM) presented at the 2007 Brain Conference on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Mahnomen, MN… one of the largest annual conferences held in Minnesota. Feedback … Read more

FASD Elephant™ #006: The FASD Wheel™ – Misattributions and Metaphors

Today’s podcast reviews useful metaphors and non-useful misattributions regarding FASD. This is the first of a multi-part series edited from a workshop on the FASD Wheel™ presented at the 2007 Brain Conference on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Mahnomen, MN… one of the largest annual conferences held in Minnesota. See www.FASDElephant.com for more details.Feedback … Read more

FASD Elephant™ Special Article #001: The Ten Brain Domains

Click here to download the PDF File This week, I am sending the original article on the Ten Brain Domains from the Journal of FAS International for your review. The regular audio podcast will return next week. Feedback or comments may be sent to: Michael__at__FASDElephant__dot__com.

FASD Elephant™ #005: The Ten Brain Domains

The Fetal Alcohol Diagnostic Program (FADP), in Duluth, MN, spearheaded by the Executive Director, Jeanette Lang, and her crack team, has developed the Ten Brain Domains, which provides clear definitions of brain dysfunction, specifies empirical data needed for accurate diagnosis, and defines intervention considerations that address the complex nature of FASD. The Ten Brain Domains … Read more

FASD Elephant™ #004: Other FASD Diagnoses

Each key feature of FASD can vary widely across individuals exposed to prenatal alcohol. While consensus exists for the diagnosis of FAS across diagnostic systems (see last podcast), minor variations among the systems lead to differences in definitions and cut-off criteria for other diagnoses across the FASD continuum. The FASD conditions of Partial FAS (PFAS) … Read more