Understanding FASD in Foster Care & Adoption with Sandra Flach

Foster Parent Well

Sandra Flach shares her family's journey with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and provides essential knowledge for foster and adoptive parents raising children with prenatal alcohol exposure.
• FASD affects 1 in 20 children in the United States—more prevalent than autism
• Only 10% of children with FASD display the facial features needed for diagnosis
• Prenatal alcohol exposure permanently alters brain structure and function
• There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and no safe time to drink
• Symptoms often intensify during teenage years as executive function demands increase
• Children with FASD may be chronologically one age but developmentally much younger
• Brain-based parenting focuses on understanding behaviors as brain differences
• Breaking tasks into smaller steps and creating routines helps children succeed
• Helping children understand their diagnosis empowers them to self-advocate
• The Justice for Orphans website and "Hope for the FASD Journey" support group provide resources
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The Link to Sandra's website is JusticeForOrphansNY.org

You can find her at:

Instagram: @afc_journey and @sandraflach_jfo

Facebook: @the Adoption & Foster Care Journey and @Sandra Flach

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text!

Connect with me on Instagram: @Fosterparentwell
@nicoletbarlow https://www.instagram.com/nicoletbarlow/
Website: https://nicoletbarlow.com/

Chapters

1. Introduction to FASD Awareness Month (00:00:00)

2. Sandra's Adoption Journey (00:03:10)

3. Understanding FASD Diagnosis (00:07:33)

4. How Alcohol Affects Brain Development (00:15:33)

5. Executive Function Challenges (00:21:42)

6. Brain-Based Parenting Approach (00:29:43)

7. Helping Kids Understand Their Diagnosis (00:37:26)

8. Supporting Teens with FASD (00:45:42)

9. Closing Thoughts and Resources (00:51:19)