It's only nine months - Give your baby the best chance at a healthy life!
Our mission: To reclaim our culture by restoring balance.
Our vision: Future generations of unborn children will never suffer the effects of FASD.
What Are We Doing To Help?
Referral Process
Please contact Verna Thompson at (218) 983 3286 ext. 1435, she will assist you in completing the referral process.
You may also complete a printable version of the "Referral Intake Form" and mail it back to us!
Diagnostic Evaluations
White Earth FASD Program coordinates the White Earth Diagnostic Clinic which is located at the White Earth Health Center.
Clinic serves ages birth to 18 yrs. who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol.
Individuals must be eligible for services at the White Earth Health Center.
The Diagnostic team consists of a psychology resident, an IHS psychologist, an IHS pediatrician, speech/language pathologist, FASD case manager, and the FASD Program Manager.
Referrals are encouraged.
For those who are not eligible for services at the White Earth Health Center, we are able to provide you with contact information to other diagnostic facilities.
Other diagnostic facilities are utilized when appropriate.
Case Management
Help with referral process for acquiring a diagnostic evaluation.
Provides advocacy for the child in school, in the community, and at home.
Assists with scheduling, transportation, and support for intervention services.
Maintains frequent contact with the child and family.
FASD FAQ'S and Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What is FASD?
A:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in an unbrella term describing the ranges of effects that can occur in an individual who was prenatally exposed to alcohol.
Q:Is there a cure for FASD?
A:FASD is permanent. It can not be cured. It is however 100% preventable.
Q:If I only drink a small amount is my baby still at risk?
A:Yes. There is no known safe time, safe amount, or safe type of alcohol to drink while pregnant.
Q:Once my baby is born is it safe to nurse if I only drink a small amount?
A:No. Alcohol passes through breast milk to the baby, and again there is no safe amount, time, or type of alcohol while pregnant or nursing.
Facts
- Alcohol hurts at least 40,000 babies born each year.
- 1 in 10 pregnant women drink alcohol and 1 in 25 women engages in binge drinking.
- Children do not outgrow FASD. The physical and behavioral problems can last a life time.
- The Center for Disease Control estimates that a child with FASD will cost $1.4 million over their lifetime for services to address their unique institutional and medical needs.The 8 strategies that work with FASD individuals.
The 8 strategies that work with FASD individuals
- Concrete - Talk in concrete terms, do not use words with double meaning, or idioms.
- Consistency - Because individuals with FASD have difficulty generalizing, they do best in an environment with few changes.
- Repetition - Individuals with FASD have chronic short- term memory problems, so therefore, it's important to re-teach and re-teach.
- Routine - Stable routines that don't change from day to day make it easier so that they know what to expect.
- Simplicity - Keep it short and to the point. Individuals with FASD are overly stimulated which can lead to them "shutting down."
- Specific - Say exactly what you mean because individuals with FASD have difficulty with abstractions, generalizations, and not being able to fill in the blanks.
- Structure - Structure is the glue that holds everything together.
- Supervision - Because of their cognitive challenges, individuals with FASD bring a naivete to daily situations. They need constant supervision.