There is good stuff going on behind the scenes in the FASD world. I was at a meeting yesterday that is a group of people called the Adult FASD Provider Network that a man has organized. There were people from the Hennepin County Public Defenders office, Ramsey County, several social service organizations who work with adults in treatment and counseling roles, MOFAS, and parents. If you have some ideas of other organizations or people who could sit at the table, let me know.
The group is going to try to address some issues that adults with FASD face, like the major lack of diagnostic clinics, transition issues, facilitate training for service providers, networking opportunities for providers, develop a screening that providers can use and several other areas. It was a great meeting, full of people who are passionate about FASD and the people who are impacted by it.
Why am I on it? Because in less than 6 years, Akila will be a legal adult, and that scares the crap out of me. It is hard enough to get her services as a child with brain damage and issues, let alone when she is a legal adult who looks totally "normal", but is still making dumb mistakes.
I am very thankful that there are some people who are working on organizing things like this since there is such a need.
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4 comments:
Thank you for being on the team. I am truly afraid for my son who will be a legal adult in 3 years. He refuses to listen to, or learn anything from, us his parents. However he is beginning to thrive in the intensive treatment unit. They provide extreme routine and control, which we can not duplicate in the home. When walking down the hall they even have to ask permission to cross onto the next carpet color/ door way.
Thank you for all you are doing. I know it isn't easy when your life is already so full, but it is important and you are making a difference for a lot of people. ♥
I don't know if I could swing it but this is something I'd really be interested in being a part of, our girls are 18 this June, we are going to seek extended our legal guardianship for them. They just are not ready to be on their own, or making adult decisions. Anyway I could take part without traveling to the cities?
I wonder if this blog is till active? I was recently considering starting a blog for people who have adults with FASD in their life. It's a hugely relevant issue, especially considering just one or two generations before me widely accepted drinking while pregnant.
I am 35yr old woman who just terminated a semi-long-term relationship with a 35yr old male living with FASD.
It truly was an awakening experience for me to have a relationship with him but I have found that I am at a point finally where I can no longer be his caregiver/external mind/provider. It has been a huge struggle to this point and many times I have attempted/considered terminating the relationship prior to this but these are still people who love, care, are funny, and capture our hearts.
Would love to be a part of/create a network of people to help support & educate others who have adults in their lives with FASD.
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