The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network is traveling to 10 Saskatchewan communities to deliver presentations on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Shana Mohr Training Coordinator with FASD Saskatchewan, "We're going to be delivering community presentations all across Saskatchewan, and we are going to be coming to talk about FASD, kind of how the disability presents. And how we can work with people with FASD, bridging the gap as to what we do at the FASD Network. FASD is an incredibly complex unique disability and so often when people learn about it they feel a bit overwhelmed. So we like to bridge the gap, that we do have training and support centers across the province of Saskatchewan."

The hour and a half presentations will include a free lunch and focus on explaining what FASD is, the areas that individuals with the disability may experience impairments and how these impairments may affect their behaviours and actions. "We often spend time on stigma, and we often have to challenge people to think a little bit differently about the disability. FASD is a disability that is plagued by negative stigma, negative misconceptions, and a huge shame and blame focus. And we're out there trying to normalize the conversation about FASD."

"Actually right now in Canada, the rates of FASD are higher than the rates of autism and higher than the rates of Down syndrome."

Mohr is a parent of a child with this spectrum disorder and shares some of the statistics, "Yet we continue to be significantly underfunded disability out there. And that speaks to the stigma piece as well, we hear in our communities that FASD is 100% preventable and we always talk about the rates of FASD. And how if you don't consume alcohol while you're pregnant, but they say 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, and 80% of the population drink. So we are never going to have communities where we prevent it 100%."

The Network will be in Estevan
March 28th, 2019
Days Inn (1305 9th St)

11:30 am to 12:00 pm - help yourself to lunch

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - presentation on FASD