About FASD London
What is FASD?
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder describing a range of effects resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol. Each individual with FASD is unique. Current research has documented a 4% prevalence rate in Canada.
Who is the sponsor of the website?
The London Family Court Clinic (LFCC) is proud to have worked with community service providers and families for many years to support those living with the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
LFCC is a non-profit, registered charity funded partially by the Ontario government and overseen by a voluntary Board of Directors. To learn more about other programs and services offered at LFCC, please visit our main page, lfcc.on.ca.
Over forty years ago, LFCC began serving children and families involved or at risk of being involved in the justice system. Today, we offer a diverse range of programs and services. To learn more, please visit our main page, lfcc.on.ca.
The purpose of this website
This site is intended to offer strategies, resources, and links to supports in the London Region. The information on this website can be helpful for parents, caregivers, educators, and service providers who are supporting those with suspected or diagnosed FASD and complex neurodevelopmental challenges. This site is provided in kind by LFCC in collaboration with community partners and the Caregiver/Parent Advisory Committee.
Achievements
LFCC has been the proud recipient of four Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grants related to FASD and peer mentoring.
FASD Connect is a two-year initiative that will run until Summer 2021. FASD Connect is a peer mentoring program that connects parents/caregivers with similar lived experiences into mutually beneficial dyads that work to reduce feelings of social isolation. Parents/caregivers of children with FASD or a suspected complex neurodevelopmental disorder are encouraged to enrol in the program. LFCC is working closely with researchers from Western University for accountability and quality control purposes. For more information please call 519-878-FASD (3273).
Prior to FASD Connect, LFCC ran the WEALTH (Women Enabling and Learning Through Helping/Healing) program in 2017. WEALTH was a one-year peer mentoring pilot project. The goal was to support mothers of children in grades 5-8 living in poverty and reduce social isolation through connects with other mothers in the community.
LFCC received an OTF grant in 2016 in order to build capacity in the community related to FASD. The outcomes of this grant including a better understanding of available FASD-informed services, training provided to over 400 front-line service providers, and the development of a community of practice.
Finally, OTF provided funding to LFCC to coordinate the FASD virtual diagnostic clinic which was in operation from 2013 to 2016. The virtual clinic completed 36 multi-disciplinary assessments over 2.5 years without cost to families. This was accomplished through the provision of in-kind diagnostic services from LFCC, CPRI, Merrymount, and Vanier.
LFCC continues to work diligently in continuing to provide programs and services that align with our mission and bridge gaps in the community for those caring for and living with FASD.