FASD Hope

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

28 - Guided Growth: A Conversation with Dr. Ira Chasnoff

January 5, 2021

FASD Hope is a podcast about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

This 28th episode is titled "Guided Growth: A Conversation with Dr. Ira Chasnoff". Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) speaks with Dr. Ira Chasnoff.

Ira Chasnoff, M.D., is an award-winning author, researcher and president of NTI Upstream and a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. Dr. Chasnoff is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of child development and the effects of maternal alcohol and drug use on newborn infants, children and adolescents. Dr. Chasnoff's research, practice and contributions to the FASD / Pediatric Community span over 40 years. Dr. Chasnoff is the co-author of the "Guided Growth: Educational and Behavioral Interventions for Children and Teens with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Early Trauma".

In this information-packed, first episode of 2021, Dr. Chasnoff educates listeners about many FASD-related topics, including the following: Dr. Chasnoff's experiences, FASD research / statistics, specific points on how ADHD and FASD differ, resources offered and recommended by Dr. Chasnoff, specific examples of how alcohol affects the brain, what parents of children with FASD need to ask for during an evaluation and Dr. Chasnoff's new book "Guided Growth: Educational and Behavioral Interventions for Children and Teens with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Early Trauma" (co-authored by Ronald J. Powell, PhD).

RESOURCES - Dr. Ira Chasnoff

https://www.ntiupstream.com/

info@ntiupstream.com

"Guided Growth: Educational and Behavioral Interventions for Children and Teens with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Early Trauma" by Ira J. Chasnoff, MD and Ronald J. Powell, PhD

For parents and caregivers, as per Dr. Chasnoff-

When seeking an FASD evaluation, make sure the clinician evaluates your child / teen across the Three Domains of Functioning:

1. Neurocognitive

2. Self-Regulation

3. Adaptive Functioning

Look for the "FASD and the Online World" book by Dr. Chasnoff on NTI Upstream

* You can email Dr. Chasnoff at NTI Upstream for a copy of the "American Bar Association's Resolution on FASD as a Mitigating Factor in Adjudicating and Sentencing" *

Facebook - @ntiupstream

Instagram - @ntiupstream

FASD Hope-

https://homeschoolhousecalls.com/

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

27 - Double Dose of Homeschool Hope with Deven Vasko and Beth Corcoran

December 30, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

This Double Episode (#27) is titled "Double Dose of Homeschool Hope" and Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) speaks with Deven Vasko and Beth Corcoran, homeschool moms who both are a resource and support in their respective communities, as well as in the homeschool community.

Deven Vasko is a graduate of the University of South Alabama. She is a missionary, with her roots in the deep South. Deven has been married for 20 years to Nicolai Vasko, a good-looking, Belarusian born in the former Soviet Union. Deven has homeschooled for 17 years, educating their five, wild Belarusian-American children ranging from a 19 year old homeschool graduate to a 5 year old kindergartener. Deven's passion is bringing hope and inspiring professionalism in mothers. She sees every mother as the essential element to the success of her home. Deven runs "Professional Home Educator" Facebook Group and Website, as well as "Homeschool House Calls" website and homeschool consulting services.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you. But to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

Beth Corcoran has been married to her husband, Curtis, for 16 years. Together, they have adopted 8 children, who now range in age from 6 years old to adult. Their family, including their 3 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, resides in central Oklahoma. Having 12 years of experience homeschooling her kids, who have a variety of special needs (including as Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, Suspected FASD, Reactive Attachment Disorder and more), Beth found that she was getting daily questions about homeschooling children with special needs. Thus, the Flamingo Feathers Podcast and Community was born to provide support and encouragement to the special needs homeschooling community. The Flamingo Feathers Podcast just wrapped up it's first season and can be found on all major podcast platforms, as well as the Flamingo Feathers website.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9

In this resource-filled episode, both Deven and Beth share the following: their respective parenting journeys, their respective homeschool journeys, reasons for homeschooling, resources for homeschoolers (especially those new to homeschooling) and advice to homeschoolers (especially of kids who learn differently or have special needs such as FASD / Brain Based Diagnoses).

RESOURCES -

Deven Vasko -

http://www.professionalhomeeducator.com/

Facebook - @professionalhomeeducator

Beth Corcoran -

http://flamingo-feathers.com/

Podcast - Flamingo Feathers

Facebook - @flamingofeathers

Instagram - @flamingofeathers_beth

FASD Hope -

http://diverselydesigned.com

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

26 - Climbing Down Holiday Mountain: A Conversation with Shannon Iacobacci

December 28, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On Episode 26, Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) speaks with Shannon Iacobacci. Shannon Iacobacci is an FASD Educator, Certified FASCETS Facilitator, Disability Advocate and Family Coach. Shannon is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Shannon is a board member of both FASCETS and the FASD Network of Southern California. Shannon is also a foster / adoptive mom with four children diagnosed with FASDs. She knows first-hand what daily life is like parenting children on the FASD spectrum. She sought training from leaders within the FASD community to help her and her family understand their unique needs. After an intensive, year-long training, Shannon became a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model and she has trained thousands of caregivers, foster / adoptive parents, mental health professionals, students, educators and organizations on FASD. She is currently advocating and beginning the process of setting up FASD trainings for birth families looking to reunify with their children. She believes the more we empower families with the education and tools they need, the less frustration and anxiety they will feel, making family reunification and foster / adoptive placements more successful. Shannon continues to advocate for children and teens with disabilities within the educational system.

During this thoughtful and highly educational episode, Shannon discusses the following topics: why the period after Hanukkah / Christmas / New Year's Day can be a letdown for anyone, particularly for those with an FASD (or other brain based diagnosis), how the holiday season is like a funnel of emotion and dysregulation, the analogy and comparison of emotionally "throwing oneself off the holiday mountain of activity" versus "climbing down the holiday mountain of activity / emotions", strategies that parents and caregivers can help their loved ones "climb down holiday mountain".

RESOURCES -

Shannon Iacobacci of Diversely Designed

shannon@diverselydesigned.com

Instagram - @diverselydesigned

Facebook - @diverselydesigned

FASD Hope-

https://www.bluecollarhomeschool.com/

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

25 - Christmas Episode - Gifts for Your Journey with Cindy LaJoy

December 23, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On this Christmas Episode (#25) of FASD Hope, (Podcast Host) Natalie Vecchione asks her dear friend and mentor, Cindy LaJoy, to co-host this inspirational and hope-filled episode. Cindy LaJoy is the mom to five young adults....three of whom are walking through life with an FASD and all adopted from orphanages in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Cindy homeschooled all five of her kids for the past eleven years. Passionate about those who need other avenues to achieve success in adulthood, Cindy created "Blue Collar Homeschool" which is a 9,000+ member Facebook group and website where homeschool families can find encouragement for learners who are not headed down the traditional college path. Looking towards the future and ways in which her three with FASD would likely struggle in the workforce, Cindy led her kids through an exciting, year-long adventure in creating "Buckaroos Slices and Scoops", a pizza and ice cream restaurant in Montrose, Colorado. Buckaroos is now a successful, small business which her kids developed, built out and run by themselves (with occasional help from Mom and Dad). Buckaroos not only provides employment for her three kids with an FASD, but intentionally hires a staff those who may need more support.

In this Christmas Episode titled "Gifts for Your Journey", Cindy shares her journey as a mom of (now young adults) of 3 kids with an FASD and the amazing journey they have been on through homeschooling and creating the thriving, small business "Buckaroos Slices and Scoops. Cindy and Natalie have an honest discussion about their respective parenting journeys and the new paths they have learned to embrace in parenting kids (now young adults) with an FASD. In this episode, Cindy and Natalie also share "gifts of encouragement".... things they wish they knew 10 years ago on their parenting journeys. They hope these "gifts of encouragement" can benefit and support those listeners who may be in particularly challenging places on the road of FASD and other brain based diagnoses. Finally, Cindy and Natalie share words of hope for those parents and families who are struggling in their parenting journeys this Christmas.

Cindy's and Natalie's "Gifts" include:

- Stop comparing your child with other children, stop comparing your family with other families,

Embrace your family's strengths and gifts.

- Give yourself Grace. Offer yourself compassion and forgiveness.

- Find support, fellowship and hope from other parents who are on the same journey as you. Find "your tribe" and know you're not alone.

- Find respite.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself." There is no commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:30-31

RESOURCES-

Cindy LaJoy

Blue Collar Homeschool

Facebook - @bluecollarhomeschool

https://www.buckaroosmontrose.com/

FASD Hope -

http://www.michellecatanialmft.com/

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

24 - When Grace and Brain Based Parenting Meet: A Conversation with Michelle Catania

December 21, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On this 24th episode of FASD Hope, (Podcast Host) Natalie Vecchione speaks with Michelle Catania, a Marriage and Family Therapist who is licensed in the State of Connecticut. Michelle and her husband live in Connecticut and they have two biological sons and a son through domestic adoption, who has an FASD. Michelle was a preschool teacher for over 15 years. She has a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University and a Bachelors in Psychology with a certification in Elementary Education. from Franklin Pierce University. Michelle has expertise in brain based disorders, including ADHD, Autism and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Michelle loves her job because she can share her passion for Christ and her love for families.

In this FAITH-FILLED and ENCOURAGING discussion, Michelle and Natalie explore the following topics: the journey of Michelle's family, how she learned about the Neurobehavioral Approach / Brain Based approach, how her Faith brought her through the journey of being a mom of a son with an FASD, Grace Based parenting, how NB / Brain Based Parenting AND Grace Based Parenting are similar and how we can incorporate BOTH parenting styles in our parenting journeys.

"And not only in that, but we also glory in the tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character and character hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5

RESOURCES-

Michelle Catania, LMFT

FASD Hope -

https://lookingforwardlc.org/

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

23 - Looking Forward in 2021: A Conversation with Sara Swan

December 16, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On this 23rd episode of FASD Hope, Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) makes a new friend in guest Sara Swan, who is the founder of Looking Forward Life Coaching. Looking Forward Life Coaching is a non-profit organization that provides person centered life coaching (and the only life coaching organization for individuals with an FASD). Sara has been teaching for over 20 years and her specialty throughout her extensive, teaching career has been transitioning students in special education out of high school and into the community. She has also mentored several high school and college-age individuals as they headed into adulthood and she still remains a part of their lives. Sara is the guardian of her uncle, who is a person with intellectual disabilities, and she helps him make decisions to better the quality of his life. Sara created Looking Forward Life Coaching because she saw a need for her students, who were falling between the cracks. She wanted to help guide individuals as they navigate life. Looking Forward Life Coaching changes the stumbling blocks of life into stepping stones towards success.

In this engaging and very lively conversation, Sara and Natalie explore the following topics: Sara's personal and professional background, what led her to open Looking Forward Life Coaching, how she learned about FASD, person-centered approach to life coaching (and caregiving), her hopes for the FASD Community and her goals for 2021.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13

RESOURCES -

Looking Forward Life Coaching -

info@lookingforwardlc.org

Facebook - @lookingforwardlc

Instagram - @lookingforwardlc

FASD Hope -

Podcast Host - Natalie Vecchione

https://www.embracedmovement.org/

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

22 - EMBRACED: A Conversation with Joel Sheagren

December 14, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On this 22nd episode of FASD Hope, Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) speaks with Joel Sheagren, Director and Co-Producer of the documentary film project "Embraced, Truth About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Joel is a veteran director, producer and director of photography who has served in the advertising industry for nearly 30 years. In 2015, Joel started directing and producing films. His first film was "CRACKED ICE", which ran on the Hulu Network. Cracked Ice was based on the history of racing cars on frozen lakes in Minnesota. He is also the co-founder of a non-profit called Hope and Rescue Foundation - a nonprofit addressing human trafficking and the issues driving this insidious practice... FASD and Mental Health are driving issues.

Joel is married. He and his wife, Kim, have two children. Their son Sam, now 18, was diagnosed with an FASD 3 1/2 years ago. Joel's current project is the documentary "Embraced: Truth About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders", to sound the alarm concerning the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.

During their inspirational and hope-filled conversation, Joel and Natalie discuss the following topics: Joel's personal background (and his family's journey in FASD) and his professional experience, the development of the Embraced film project, the format and vision for this film, the film's intended audience and the status of the Embraced film project.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

RESOURCES -

Embraced: Truth About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Embraced Film Project's GoFundMe Link-

https://www.gofundme.com/f/embraced-movement

FASD Hope -

spotlightonfasd@gmail.com

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

21 - Spotlight on FASD: A Conversation with Jessica Rutherford and Clare Devanney-Glynn

December 9, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On this 21st episode of FASD Hope, Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) speaks with Jessica Rutherford and Clare Devanney-Glynn, creators and hosts of "Spotlight on FASD", the United Kingdom's first podcast dedicated to FASD. With facts and figures, real life stories and absolutely no shame or blame...Spotlight on FASD aims to shine a light on FASD and bring conversations out of the shadows. Jessica Rutherford is a final year PhD student and her research focuses on the development of educational interventions for children and young people with FASD, using creative arts practices. She discovered and became fascinated by FASD in the early months of her PhD and her interest has only grown since then. In addition to her academic experience, Jessica also worked at an FASD Camp in the United States. She is now NUDGE Education's FASD Intervention Expert.

Clare Devanney-Glynn is the mother of three teens with FASD. Clare has spent the last four years navigating the world of FASD and the previous decade navigating motherhood not knowing that she was even in the world of FASD. Clare sits on the very first NICE Quality Standards panel in the UK and she has a passion for all things FASD, Developmental Trauma and Adoption. She discovered very quickly that she needed to become her children's FASD expert and has since continued her mission in parent advocacy.

During this lively and engaging discussion, Jessica and Clare share the following with Natalie: their lived / professional experiences in the FASD Community in the UK, when they respectively became FASD advocates, the development and mission of the Spotlight on FASD podcast (and hopes for the future), their call to action for more FASD Podcasts around the globe, what they both enjoy about podcasting and words of hope for those individuals (and their families / loved ones) who may be in the dark places of their journeys in FASD.

RESOURCES -

"Spotlight on FASD" podcast is available on all major platforms.

Instagram - @spotlightonFASD

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Spotlight-on-FASD-111715024044221/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjmngLn026S6gP004aUAp3g?app=desktop

Spotlight on FASD email -

FASD Hope -

info@fashope.com

Instagram - @fasdhope

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

20 - An Author and His Story: A Conversation with Josh Bechtel

December 7, 2020

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On this 20th episode of FASD Hope, Natalie Vecchione (Podcast Host) speaks with Josh Bechtel, an author and President of Lighthouse Publications, LLC and founder of FMV Publishing Services. Josh has written several books, including his memoir "Finding My Voice: A Journey into Faith". Josh was born in November of 1977 in Pendleton, Oregon. He was placed in foster care at the age of one and a half. After a series of foster placements, he was eventually adopted by a conservative, Mennonite family in Estacada, Oregon. He later learned that he had a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and his family (and fellow members of their Mennonite Community) received a consultation from Diane Malbin, author of "Trying Differently Rather Than Harder" and founder of FASCETS. Josh credits speaking with Diane Malbin and reading her book as extremely helpful in learning about how his brain functioned and learning to make accommodations for himself. In this twenties and early thirties, Josh worked at a children's home in Virginia and a men's rehabilitation center in Indiana. During that time, Josh reconnected with his biological parents and family. He lives in Akron, OH and he divides his time between odd jobs and expending his creative energies in a small business he founded in 2015, called "Finding My Voice Publishing and Services", inspired by the title of his memoir "Finding My Voice: A Journey into Faith".

During this open and insightful conversation, Josh and Natalie discuss the following topics: Josh's story and adoption journey, how he learned about his FASD diagnosis (from Diane Malbin), the many accommodations he developed throughout his lifetime, how his writing saved him (and became a tremendous strength for him), his additional strengths and his advice to teens and young adults living with an FASD (and their parents / caregivers / loved ones). Josh's story is one of determination, accommodation and hope.

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'What I am doing you do not understand now. but you will know after this.' " - John 13:7

RESOURCES-

Josh Bechtel, President, Lighthouse Publications, LLC

FMV Publishing and Services

www.findingmyvoice.us

jaypeebee77@gmail.com

"Trying Differently Rather Than Harder" by Diane Malbin, MSW (1999/2002/2017)

FASCETS - https://fascets.org/

FASD Hope -