FASD & Birth Mother Support Group

September 9 marks Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day in 2023. Devoted to raising awareness of FASD, improving prevention and diagnosis, and providing support for individuals and families with FASD, the awareness day marks the opportunity for meaningful conversation. 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a lifelong disability. Individuals with FASD will experience some degree of challenges in their daily living and need support with motor skills, physical health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach their full potential. Each individual with FASD is unique and has areas of both strengths and challenges. 

At Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services, we offer a variety of important services aimed at creating awareness around FASD and providing support for individuals with FASD or families with FASD. Sunbeam has partnered with Norwest Community Health Centre in Thunder Bay to bring a unique support group to Ontario funded by Health Nexus. You can join the Ontario FASD Support Group for Birth Mothers caring for their children with FASD. Here, you can gather with other mothers to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of being a birth parent to a child or individual with FASD. At Sunbeam, our goal is to decrease the stigma around this condition and increase a safer sense of community for individuals with FASD.

The FASD Support Group for Birth Mothers is a peer-led group that provides support from those experienced in the complexities and challenges associated with FASD. Sunbeam seeks to provide a safe and open environment and space to share for those who wish to join the FASD Support Group.

The Support Group is held virtually from 1:00 pm -2:30 pm EST monthly on the third Wednesday starting October 18 with sessions exploring life with FASD including stigma, grief and loss, family/self-care, and building strength and resiliency. If you are interested in learning more about the FASD Support Group for Birth Mothers please reach out to Karen Huber at (519) 741-1121 or k.huber@sunbeamcommunity.ca 

Reserve your spot for the Support Group today! Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JV2N6HW to enroll. 

ABOUT SUNBEAM COMMUNITY & DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services creates inclusive communities where people of all abilities are valued. Sunbeam has been operating for more than 65 years, serving more than 14,000 individuals and families across Waterloo Region, Wellington County, Dufferin Country, Peel Region, Halton Region, York Region and Simcoe County. The organization offers inclusive living, overnight respite, day program and clinical services, as well as professional services and other supports through Sunbeam Developmental Resource Centre and is also the host agency for Developmental Services Ontario-Central West Region. Sunbeam serves and supports individuals of all ages living with an intellectual or developmental disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

Website: sunbeamcommunity.ca

Facebook: Sunbeam Community & Developmental Services