an extraordinary FASD opportunity: Empeg

[empeg1]

Hello All: I have been a member of this board for a long time. So, I want to tell you of wonderful news for me. Today I was accepted into a training program, Training of the Trainers, for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. I will be involved in this work for a year, beginning in March with the best in the field. I am beyond excited. I will develop skills in the neurodevelopmental view of FASD and in how to intervene. I am now also on the executive board of the Northern California national NOFAS board. My heart and soul is in this work and I am so blessed to be able to get the knowledge and expertise this training will provide me. Pandora, this is with FASCETS and Diane Malbin, the best of the best. i will share with this board as I learn. It turns out that ADHD is the most common co-diagnosis with FASD, with a prevalence above 90%. Most children with FASD are undiagnosed, or diagnosed with other disabilities, especially ADHD, and have normal intelligence. Pandora, I will share as I go. This is a new chapter in my life!!

[healthy11]

Empeg, although I know the children who you've worked with in schools as an SLP will miss you, this sounds like an opportunity to have an impact on so many more families who really need help and support! (There are a lot more SLP's to work with kids than people knowledgeable about FASD, so your expertise will be greatly appreciated, I'm sure.) We're wishing you all the best in your new career!

P.S. How is your daughter with FASD doing since she's been back with you? Will you have to relocate to receive the training?

[michellea]

CONGRATULATIONS!! What a great opportunity to leverage your skills and expertise in the areas of langauge and special ed as well as experience as a mom with a daughter with FASD. There is nothing better than doing work that fits hand and glove with your abilities and passions to make a difference in the world.

Please please share your experiences and new knowledge with us. So very happy for you!!

[Mayleng]

Congrats! You are the right person for this.

[empeg1]

Thank you! Healthy, i am not quitting my day job. I need that paycheck! The training I will be engaged in for a year will require 2 trips to Portland, Oregon. However, most of the training will be by teleconference, which will allow me to continue working, a must, and living at home, also a must. I will just be extraordinarily busy!

[healthy11]

With the background and passion that you already have, hopefully it won't be overwhelming, and you'll still find some time to relax! (Isn't your other daughter attending college in Oregon? It should be nice to visit her! )

[SharonF]

How exciting! Congratulations!

[hsmom]

Empeg,

Congratulations!! You're the right person for the training.

[pandora]

Go-o-o-o, Empeg! I'm thrilled for you. With your firsthand experience, your own research, your training, and your many years of professional special ed work, you will be a dynamite resource for families, social workers, lawyers, educators, and IEP Transition Teams. The NOFAS & Bay Area will be so lucky to have you!

[kewpie]

Awesome!!!

[empeg1]

Actually something else good is happening. I have just been nominated to the executive board of my county Council on Developmental Disabilities, a division of state agency. With the above position, if I am elected, will mean I will have access to every agency in the county, schools, foster care, adoption, regional center, medical, etc that serves individuals with developmental disabilities. As FASD is a spectrum of neurodevelopment disabilities, I should gain further contacts in helping to educate others. others.

[healthy11]

Congatulations!

[dw]

I hope empeg is doing well, along with her dd's.
I learned a lot from her posts about fasd/fae. I read a couple of books about fasd, as a result, and keep it on my list of differential diagnoses.

What made me think actively about this is that i am attend a week long cont. ed. Program on addictions at the famous Hazelden Betty Ford treatment center, which treats people with private health insurance for alcoholism and other drugs of abuse. There are separate in patient units for men and women. Some time ago, 20 years(?), due to insurance companies reluctance to pay for substance abuse treatment unless it is "evidenced based", hazelden added other treatment modalities besides the AA twelve step program, though 12 step is still really strong here.
But in the workshops i am attended, "evidence based" is a term used often.

The program i am in is called "professionals in residence", and mostly who attends these are the fsmily practice and psychiatry residents (docs in training) fron 5 residency programs. It is required their residents do this addictions training.

So, sadly and oddly, there is no place on the learning agenda for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and how to assess and identify women of reproductive age who may be at risk! I asked several of the hazelden faculty about this, and they expressed an seemingly honest innocent surprise and lack of awareness that such a relevant topic is not included in the curriculum! I plan to raise my concern again, and in writing, but now can better understand empeg's frustration with professional educators in this field!
I hope she is still leading the charge on this issue as it isn't close to being won.

[healthy11]

dw, thank you for your continuing efforts to help those in need, and for carrying on the message that Empeg first brought to our attention. That's one of the reasons I'm so glad a forum like Millermoms exists, because "Knowledge is Power" and information needs to be passed along.