Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day Marked in Sudbury

Sudbury – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) affects 1 in 100 children. It can lead to lifelong challenges, and it is completely avoidable.

FASD is a term that describes a range of effects that can occur in a person whose
mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. The effects may include lifelong physical, mental, behavioural, and learning challenges and disabilities

Today is International FASD Awareness Day. To mark the occasion, the Sudbury-Manitoulin FASD Network held an awareness event in downtown Sudbury, complete with a proclamation from Deputy Mayor Joscelyne Landry-Altmann declaring today Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day in Greater Sudbury. The aim of the day is to inform people about what FASD is, how to avoid it, and what help is available to children with FASD and their families.

One of the resources available is the FASD Clinic, located at the North Eastern Ontario
Health Centre for Kids (NEO Kids) at Health Sciences North. It is the only clinic of its kind in Northeastern Ontario

“Early diagnosis helps children with FASD and their family members better understand
this condition and its impacts on them, including the child’s specific needs, which is so important because it makes it easier for these kids to access the appropriate help and individualized supports they need to successfully achieve their goals, “says Kelly Oreskovich, a Social Worker in the FASD Clinic at NEO Kids.

The FASD Clinic was created in 2011 through a partnership with HSN and the North
East Aboriginal Partnership (NEAP) Project, comprised of the Anishinabek Nation, Mamaweswen North Shore Tribal Council, the Shkagamik-kwe Health Centre
(Greater Sudbury), and the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre (Manitoulin Island)

“The NEAP partnership was a bold undertaking, that has demonstrated to all involved, that this evolving relationship between HSN, the First Nations, and Aboriginal partners, could serve as the template for all future health care initiatives, moving forward,” says Tony Jocko, Policy Analyst for the Anishnabek Nation, Union of Ontario Indians. “Our people have benefited greatly by both the scope, of the services jointly developed, and
the raising of awareness of FASD across the north.”

The FASD Clinic provides early assessment and diagnosis of children with FASD, and
links children and their families with existing community-based treatment programs for FASD.

Since its launch, the FASD Diagnostic Clinic has provided assessments to approximately 115 children.

Treatment follows a multidisciplinary model and incorporates best practices from both the First Nations and Western traditions of health care. The clinical teams consist of pediatricians, psychologists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers, and nurse practitioners.

FASD can be avoided. Women are encouraged not to drink alcohol if they are pregnant
or believe they may be pregnant.

NT5