From The Broken Cord

Daily experiences of parenting a child with suspected FASD and the applicability of a psycho-educational group.

“…Parents explained that their previous experience with raising children was insufficient; when parenting a child who has FASD, it is necessary to change the environment to support the child rather than change the child to fit the environment. Implementing changes to accommodate the child rather than expecting the child to change is consistent with other research (Buxton, 2004;Dorris, 1989;Malbin, 2007). Although parents wanted to see their children become as independent as possible, parents were unsure o f how to make the transition from caring for the child to helping the child achieve independence.…”

“…Changing the environment is a strategy that has been used by parents of children with diagnosed FASD (e.g., Buxton, 2004;Dorris, 1989;Malbin, 2007;Michaud &Temple 2013).…”

An investigation into the needs of parents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

“…While there have been many research papers ( e.g. Clarren, Astley, & Bowden, 1988;Dorris, 1989;Michaelis & Michaelis, 1994) addressing issues faced by children with FASD, parenting children with FASD, and the teratogenic effects of alcohol, what has been missing is researeh on the needs of parents with FASD. This reflects a systemic failure to respond appropriately to parents affected with FASD.…”

Gifts, talents and challenges: Untapped potential of adults with FASD.

“…Historically, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder was considered a condition that disappeared as the child matured, because the range of effects manifest differently for each individual and some of the microcephaly and other apparent physical malformations become less visible with age (Dorris, 1989, Streissguth & Kanter, 1997Streissguth & O'Malley, 2000). More recently, there is an increasing awareness that FASD is a lifelong disability that is not always apparent in the adult's appearance (Ragsdale, 2006).…”

“…The late Michael Dorris (1989), an indigenous anthropology instructor, was the first parent to document his experience with this disability. He wrote an autobiographical account of his experiences after adopting a young son with FASD.…”