Last week, the Rural FASD Support Network with
guidance and input from the Ontario Roundtable Report, CanFASD, and Citizen
Advocacy, released the 23 initiatives. This week, we would like to explore in detail
why these particular initiatives have been developed and the evidence-based
model that has been developed as a result.
The first four initiatives we will explore this week have a common
theme. We believe the next logical step
for Ontario is to focus on building knowledge capacity around FASD prevention
and awareness through collaboration.
The first two initiatives for the Ministry of
Education are connected together. Bill
191 and later Bill 44 was introduced by MPP Kiwala in 2017 and unanimously
passed first reading with support from all parties. It was believed at that time that it required
an amendment to the Education Act to implement.
However, it should be noted that it was PPM 140 that accomplished the
same type of action for students with Autism.
Regrettably, due to the election and the dissolution of Parliament, Bill
191 and later Bill 44 died. With its
established record of support, it is our belief that this initiative should be
resurrected. It is our understanding
that there are three school boards with programming for students with FASD
including Waterloo District, Keewatin-Patricia District, and Catholic District
School Board of Eastern Ontario. CDSBEO
developed their programming from the research-based modeling of British
Columbia and Alberta and have gathered their own evidence to demonstrate the
successful outcomes students with FASD are currently experiencing. Their model is known as the Multi-Disciplinary
Approach or MDA. MDA is used through BC,
Alberta and Manitoba primarily as a diagnostic tool but has been adapted for
educational purposes by CDSBEO. Of the
two MPP’s who have seen this presentation, the feedback has been the same. This model needs to be shared throughout the
province. We also recognize, though,
each school board will need to create their own variation of the model based on
their vision and resources. This is why
a foundational knowledge of FASD is paramount.
Just like all educators need to understand the basics of ASD to
establish best practices, educators need to understand FASD as well and the
similarities and differences between these two neurological disabilities. CanFASD has already developed these online
courses in partnership with the province of Alberta and as a result
offers them to Albertan educators for free to encourage this capacity
building. Finally, a new definition for
IPRC exceptionalities is needed. The
current exceptionalities were established in 1999 when children with
exceptionalities and particularly FASD were still being institutionalized for
their entire lives in mental institution like Rideau Regional. In the last twenty years, we have come so far
in understanding the brain that our IPRC exceptionalities should reflect that
understanding. We need a new category
called Neurological to differentiate from Behaviour, Communication, Physical,
and Intelligence for the benefit of all students with neurological disabilities
such as cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and others. Research, (Olson, 2007) has shown the key to
inclusion for children with FASD is early intervention. If intervention isn’t introduced until later
in life, adverse outcomes become much more likely. We are also thrilled to have youth with FASD
and Janet Carioni of CDSBEO join us on Feb 24 to explain this model in more
detail and answer questions.
We also strive to prevent any child having
FASD through education and support.
While we recognize there are many factors as to why alcohol is drank
during pregnancy, we can make a difference for 25.7% of child-bearing aged Ontarians who
participate in heavy drinking. This is
why mandatory training on FASD needs to be part of Smart-Serve
certification. The risks of heavy
drinking are beyond drunk driving. As CAMH shows, unexpected pregnancies and
children with FASD, addictions and mental health challenges can also
result. There is also a belief within
the FASD community that Bill 43 Sandy’s Law is not widely known among
Alcohol, Marijuana, and Tobacco distributors.
The Rural FASD Support Network would like to encourage the province to
create an opportunity to work in collaboration with these distributors to
ensure all Ontarians are making informed choices. We are thrilled to have a youth with FASD who
has successfully completed the Smart Serve Course and Nancy Lockwood of Citizen
Advocacy join us as well on Feb 24 to share their knowledge and experience in
this area.
If you have not confirmed your attendance yet
on Feb 24 for FASD Awareness Day at Queen’s Park, we invite you to contact Rob
at ruralfasd@gmail.com
.
