Goals - Intro

Instead of calling the disorder Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) it is now called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The other two terms are still used as a classification of the disorder.
I work part time as a Parent Liaison for MNASAP (Minnesota Adoption Support and Preservation). Part of my job is to answer crisis phone calls. Once I had a phone call from a lady who blurted out, “How long does God expect me to do this?” She went on to say that she did not like her adopted child and did not want to live with him anymore.
I explained to her that what she was feeling was common, and what her child needed was: a Correct Diagnosis, Services, and for her to be Calm. What she needed was: Respite, Hope, a Support Group, to be Calm, and Knowledge about FASD and Parenting Techniques specific to FASD.
Parenting children with FASD is mentally, emotionally, and physically draining. We have set up goals for parenting children with this disorder. I will list each goal with an explanation. They are not given in order of importance. Following each goal is a short list of some of the most important knowledge we have gained from others and from raising our 10 diagnosed FASD children. Then I will briefly explain our vision for “HaysKids,” a FASD assisted living center, for the purpose of presenting a model.