FASD Hope

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On the ninth episode of FASD Hope, (Podcast Host) Natalie Vecchione speaks with Jennifer Donaldson of Tailor Joy Tutoring.  Jennifer Donaldson has worked as an educator teaching elementary school, subbing at all grade levels in both typically developing / special education classes and private tutoring. Jennifer "retired" from the elementary classroom when her aging parents needed more care and she became a tutor. She is the owner and tutor of Tailor Joy Tutoring, which offers a hybrid approach to tutoring. 

Jennifer discusses her experience in tutoring students with brain-based diagnoses (including FASD) and with students who learn differently. During this episode, Natalie and Jennifer explore the following topics: focusing on strengths versus focusing on deficits, simple strategies that parents can use to discover the gifts / abilities in their child, ways in which parents can "meet the child where he/she is at developmentally", the importance of creative thinking and strategies to incorporate creative thinking at home.  On a comical note, you'll hear Jennifer completely stump Natalie during a "real life example" of using a creative thinking strategy to reinforce educational concepts!  

"The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You." -Psalm 145:9-10

Resources -

Jennifer Donaldson, Owner / Tutor of Tailor Joy Tutoring

http://education.tailorjoy.com

[email protected]

FASD Hope -

http://www.fasdhope.com/

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Instagram - @fasdhope

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On the eighth episode of FASD Hope, Podcast Host- Natalie Vecchione talks with La Shanda Sugg, LPC of Labors of Love Counseling and Consulting.  La Shanda is a Certified Trauma-Responsive and Developmental / Relational Therapist, Consultant and Founder / CEO of Labors of Love Consulting, LLC in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a trauma specialty and focus on multigenerational families, La Shanda helps people improve quality of life and their relationships. In addition to providing therapy for families, couples and individuals, La Shanda also conducts trauma-specific trainings and consulting for companies, community / government agencies, schools and faith-based organizations. With her knowledge and experience, La Shanda is a sought-after therapist and trainer. La Shanda is also one of ten authors in the book collaboration titled "The Heart of a Therapist".

La Shanda shares her experience and her journey in becoming a trauma therapist (with such an extensive skill set in the field of trauma and relational therapy). Natalie and La Shanda dive into a thoughtful and emotional conversation with the following topics:  La Shanda's  journey in becoming a therapist / specializing in trauma and relational therapy, her work with clients who have experienced trauma, when La Shanda learned about FASD, the importance for parents / caregivers / professionals to understand the difference between prenatal trauma (such as FASD) and trauma from life events (and the excellent analogy she uses to describe this difference) and the steps that parents and caregivers can take in healing / breaking the cycle of trauma.

"Scars may tell the story of where you have been, but they do not have to determine where you are going."  - La Shanda Sugg, LPC

Resources- 

La Shanda Sugg, LPC

Owner, Therapist and Consultant of Labors of Love Counseling and Consulting, LLC

https://www.thelaborsoflove.com/

Facebook - @healingforthehealers

Instagram - @laborsoflove513

YouTube - www.yourtube.com/channel/UCOL3382DzXb1tGIvFaUK4w

Podcast - "The Labors of Love"

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On the seventh episode of FASD Hope, Podcast Host- Natalie Vecchione speaks with Michele Pitts-Brown, Consultant, Disability Advocate and Author of "Embracing Your Child's Unique Abilities". Michele has a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and two Master's Degrees in Social Work and Law. Michele is married and she is also the mom of two grown children... her son has autism. Michele's professional and lived experience makes her a dynamic and highly skilled advocate for children and families affected by developmental disabilities.

Michele shares how her lived and professional experience taught her a tremendous amount about advocating, especially for those in the developmental disability community. Michele and Natalie explore the following topics: Michele's own journey as a parent of an adult son with autism, what inspired her to write "Embracing Your Child's Unique Abilities", why it is important to understand feelings of grief when parenting a child with a developmental disability, shifting the parenting mindset to focusing on your child's strengths / abilities and how her faith carried her through her parenting journey.

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " - Jeremiah 29:11

Resources-

Michele Pitts-Brown, Consultant and Advocate, LLC

https://www.michelepittsbrown.com/

"Embracing Your Child's Unique Abilities" by Michele Pitts-Brown

Instagram- @pittsbrown

Facebook- @MPBConsultant

FASD Hope-

http://www.fasdhope.com/

Instagram- @fasdhope

Facebook- @fasdhope1

Pinterest- @fasdhope1

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

This sixth episode of FASD Hope is titled "The FASD Dadcast", which will be a regular series within the FASD Hope Podcast Series. Each "FASD Dadcast" will feature conversations with different dads in the FASD community. On this first Dadcast,  Podcast Host Natalie Vecchione speaks with her husband, John Vecchione and with Spencer Munns. Spencer and his wife, Lindsey Munns, have 4 children (2 of them with a diagnosed FASD) and advocate through FASD Florida.

John and Spencer have a candid conversation about life as a dad of children with FASD, how they've made accommodations in their respective families, adjusted their expectations and the importance of connection with other dads in the FASD community.

"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him." - Psalm 103:13

Resources-

FASD Florida is on Instagram as @FASD.Florida

FASD Hope-

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Instagram - @fasdhope

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

http://www.fasdhope.com/

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.

On the fifth episode of FASD Hope, Podcast Host- Natalie Vecchione speaks with Shannon Iacobacci of Diversely Designed.  Shannon has both lived and professional experience in the FASD community.  She is a foster / adoptive mom with four children diagnosed with FASD. Shannon is a Certified Facilitator of the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model and she has trained thousands of caregivers, foster/adoptive parents, mental health professionals, students, educators and organizations about FASD.  She is also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Shannon advocates for children and teens with disabilities in the educational system.

Shannon reveals how her lived experience as a parent and her professional experience ignited her passion for advocacy in the FASD community (as well as other Brain Based Diagnoses). Shannon and Natalie also discuss the following topics: awareness of FASD in teens, challenges that parents and caregivers experience raising teens with FASD, why the Neurobehavioral / Brain Based Approach in parenting teens with FASD is so helpful, tips and techniques that she introduces when working with families and how we can better support teens with FASD (and their families, too).

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  - Romans 15:13

Resources-

Shannon Iacobacci of Diversely Designed-

www.diverselydesigned.com

[email protected]

FASCETS-

https://fascets.org/

FASD Hope-

http://www.fasdhope.com/

Facebook - @fasdhope1

Instagram - @fasdhope

Pinterest - @fasdhope1

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience. 

In this third episode, Podcast Host,  Natalie Vecchione has a conversation with Sara Messelt, Executive . Director of Proof Alliance (formerly known as MOFAS). Natalie and Sara discuss the following:  the history of Proof Alliance's "ProofCon" annual conference, "ProofCon 2020" (the first virtual conference held by Proof Alliance, speakers and topics of this year's ProofCon 2020, the benefits of this virtual conference and facts about registering for ProofCon 2020.  ProofCon 2020 will be held online this year on Thursday, October 22nd and Friday October 23rd, 2020.

Resources-

Proof Alliance

https://www.proofalliance.org

ProofCon2020

https://proofcon2020.virtualconference.com

Podcast Website-

www.fasdhope.com

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience. 

In this second episode, Podcast Host,  Natalie Vecchione has a conversation with Aubrey Page. Aubrey is an FASD educator, disability advocate and a parent mentor. Natalie and Aubrey discuss facts important facts about FASD, first steps in learning about brain based strategies and becoming an FASD advocate. 

Resources-

Aubrey Page, FASD Educator

www.aubreypage.org

Instagram- @aubreypagefasd

Facebook- @AubreyPageFASD

Welcome to the First Episode of the FASD Hope!  FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience. 

In this first episode, FASD Hope Co-Founders, John and Natalie have a candid conversation about: some of the things they have learned in their 18+ years as parents of a young adult son with an FASD, why they began FASD Hope and how they hope to bring awareness, information and inspiration to those whose lives have been touched by an FASD.

Resources-

Facebook @fasdhope1

Instagram @fasdhope

Pinterest @fasdhope1

email us at [email protected]