In this episode of Living with FASD, Shannon returns to share her journey over the past three years since her last appearance. She discusses her diagnosis and her active involvement in the FASD community, including serving on various boards and mentoring adolescents with FASD. Shannon highlights her work as a peer supporter and the development of her innovative program called 'Anchor,' designed to provide accessible mental health support through bite-sized information. The program focuses on self-reflection and practical tools to help individuals manage their mental health challenges without feeling overwhelmed.

Throughout the conversation, Shannon emphasizes the importance of lived experience in her work, sharing insights from her own journey with addiction and mental health. She discusses the significance of community support and the need for greater awareness of FASD, particularly in mental health and addiction circles. The episode concludes with Shannon reflecting on her ongoing commitment to helping others navigate their challenges, underscoring the power of vulnerability and connection in fostering healing and growth.

Takeaways

"I have been up to a lot actually since the last time we spoke."

"The goal was to provide just enough structure and self-reflection to not overwhelm people."

"People often feel relieved just noticing that their reactions are rooted in physiology and not personal failure."

"It's about the power of small steps, building slowly, letting things be good enough."

"I just want other people to know that it's possible as well."

As always, please remember to like, share, and follow the

Living with FASD podcast to help spread awareness and understanding.

If you would like to reach Patti, you can email her at livingwithfasdpodcast@gmail.com. Visit her website at www.patriciakasper.com to learn more about her coaching and professional development training services, or visit ttps://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/consultation to schedule a complimentary call.

If you would like to pick up a copy of Patti’s book, Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations with Adults Living with FASD, visit www.books.by/yourfasdcoach or Amazon. (Both print on demand, but due to lower overhead costs, books.by is able to pay its authors a few more dollars in royalties.)

If you would like to reach Shannon, or to take her program, you can reach her at: www.instagram@shannonleebutt or her website: www.shannonbutt.ca

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting After Three Years

02:59 Shannon's Journey and Community Involvement

03:58 Introducing the 'Anchor' Program

12:27 Feedback and Validation from the Pilot Program

20:07 The Impact of Peer Support

23:50 Future Directions in the FASD Space

29:19 Bridging FASD and Addiction Awareness

31:27 The Importance of Community Support

In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper and fellow author & self-advocate Helen Simpson explore their personal journeys with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), the difference early diagnosis can make, and the importance of advocacy and community support. They share their experiences with bullying, the challenges of parenting children with FASD, and the need for more resources and understanding in the medical and educational systems. They also discuss the power of storytelling and literature in creating positive narratives for those affected by FASD, emphasizing the importance of compassion and support within the community.

Takeaways

Early diagnosis can significantly change the support and resources available to individuals with FASD.

Social challenges and bullying are common experiences for those with FASD.

Literature can empower children with FASD by providing positive narratives.

Advocacy is crucial for improving resources and support for individuals with FASD and their families.

Parenting children with FASD requires patience and understanding of their unique challenges.

Community support through social media has transformed advocacy for FASD.

There is a need for more programs focused on women in recovery from substance abuse.

Compassion and understanding are essential in addressing the challenges faced by birth mothers of children with FASD.

Self-care and finding joy are important for individuals living with FASD and their families.

If you want to reach Patti to discuss either FASD training or life coaching, you can schedule a call using this links: https://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/consultation . Additional training topics can be found on her website, www.patriciakasper.com .

If you want to pick up a copy of Patti’s book, Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations with Adults Living with FASD, go to either www.books.by/yourfasdcoach or Amazon (https://a.co/d/3XLnCyw ) Both are print-on-demand from a printer near you, but books.by pays its authors a few more dollars in royalties.

If you want to pick up a copy of ABC’s of FASD, here is Helen’s Amazon link: https://a.co/d/fXI9grB .

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living with FASD

01:46 Personal Journeys: Diagnosing FASD

09:28 The Impact of Diagnosis on Life

14:22 Creating Positive Narratives through Literature

20:41 Advocacy and Community Support

25:04 Parenting Challenges and Insights

30:41 Future Aspirations for FASD Awareness

36:34 Compassion and Understanding in the FASD Community

This conversation explores the complexities of communication challenges faced by individuals with neurodivergence, particularly focusing on FASD and autism. Host Patti Kasper and special guest Carolyn Kiel, host of the podcast Beyond 6 Seconds, discuss the importance of storytelling, the impact of sensory overload, and the need for understanding and support within the neurodivergent community. They emphasize the significance of recognizing diverse experiences and the necessity of inclusive conversations that involve those with lived experiences. The discussion also touches on the stigma surrounding prenatal alcohol exposure and the importance of self-advocacy and grace in navigating these challenges.

Takeaways

Stories are relational and bring emotional learning.

Communication challenges vary widely across neurodivergence.

Expressive language skills can mask comprehension deficits.

Sensory overload can lead to communication breakdowns.

Safe spaces are crucial for emotional regulation.

Self-regulation strategies are essential for neurodivergent individuals.

Understanding one's neurodivergence can lead to self-acceptance.

Inclusive conversations are necessary for effective support.

The stigma of prenatal alcohol exposure affects diagnosis.

Support should be tailored to individual needs.

To reach Patti Kasper, perhaps to suggest topics or guests, or to ask questions, or even just to say hello, email her at livingwithfasdpodcast@gmail.com .

To reach Patti to explore FASD Life Coaching for yourself as an adult or as a parent of a little, or to arrange for professional development or community agency training on FASD, you can arrange for a consult at https://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/consultation

To order a copy of Patti’s book, Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations with Adults Living with FASD, visit books.by/yourfasdcoach or Amazon. (Both are print on demand at a printer near you, but books.by offers its authors a few dollars more in royalties.)

To listen (and subscribe) to Carolyn’s podcast, Beyond 6 Seconds, you can find it here: https://open.spotify.com/show/43W7RSYBMRsT4ktoFSHpau?si=77ec834a13c443a9

You can also visit her website at www.beyond6seconds.net.

Please remember to like, subscribe & share this podcast so that more people can discover it and learn about FASD.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Collaboration

02:48 The Power of Storytelling

04:01 Communication Challenges in Neurodivergence

10:26 Expressive vs. Receptive Language Skills

18:31 The Impact of Sensory Overload

25:08 The Importance of Safe Spaces

30:33 Finding Balance and Self-Regulation

34:19 Understanding Neurodivergence

39:22 The Stigma of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

46:30 The Need for Inclusive Conversations

51:44 Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals

56:55 Conclusion and Future Topics