Comment on > THUNDER BAY – There are an estimated 2,000 individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Northwestern Ontario according to NorWest Community Health Centres.

1. THUNDER BAY – There are an estimated 2,000 individuals with
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Northwestern Ontario
according to NorWest Community Health Centres.
About 15 years ago, the NorWest Community Health Centres
answered to a community call to assist with the development of a
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Coalition with 20 partner agencies.
The centre obtained several grants and became involved in a
number of initiatives that allowed it to function as a location for
training, support and awareness.
Health and social programs manager Anita Jean said they’ve
been working with community partners to develop FASD services
addressing the needs of both clients and service providers.
The Norwest Community Health Centre and the Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Awareness Committee hosted the Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorder annual training event Thursday.
“We have a lot of individuals that have FASD in the region,” Jean
said.
“The conservative estimate is about 2,000 that have essentially a
permanent disability.”
According to NorWest Community Health Centres prenatal
exposure has been recognized as the leading known cause of
disability in the country. It is estimated that 300,000 people in
Canada have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
“For a few years now we have been able to operate a diagnostic
clinic, and we see about 50 clients at the diagnostic clinic during
the year,” Jean said.
“Half of them don’t have primary care, so we take them on as
part of our practice and we are really learning from them, we are
getting some ideas in terms of programs and we are establishing
new strategies.”
As part of the centre’s strategies for FASD services the training
event is held each year, bringing several individuals from a
variety of backgrounds including corrections, teaching, and social
work.

2. Special guest Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Healthcare clinical
psychologist Kaitlyn McLachlan said she’s increasing people’s
awareness for the characteristics of people who have FASD.
“The impact can be really wide ranging,” McLachlan said. “It
differs a lot from person to person but what we see is deficits
resulting from alcohol use during pregnancy that can impact the
way a person thinks, feels, and behaves.”
FASD causes problems throughout an individual’s lifespan such
as difficulties with learning, memory loss, attention, and problem
solving.
The effects last a lifetime, and there is no cure.
“We know that early recognition and intervention of people with
the disability is a really important protective factor that can
greatly improve developmental outcomes and quality of life,”
McLachlan said.
“You might be able to help them and do better across their
lifetime if you understand what’s challenging for them and find
important and specific ways of supporting their needs.”
McLachlan wants to remind people that there is no safe amount
or timing of drinking during a pregnancy.