TRAINING TESTIMONIALS
TRAINING TESTIMONIALS
“As a pediatrician in NC for over 30 yrs, I was not aware of the high prevalence of FASD, nor the significance of being able to make the diagnosis in my office. Taught by excellent faculty and experienced clinicians, this course provided invaluable training for the diagnosis and management of these patients. I am astounded how it has impacted my pediatric practice.”
Joan T. Perry M.D., Kinston, N.C.
This training was eye-opening. Suddenly, many of the children that we see at our child welfare agency made more sense. The ones with multiple diagnoses (ADHD, ODD, ASD, PTSD, anxiety/depression/bipolar disorder) and complex needs (multiple foster care placements, multiple services with little progress, lack of fit at school) often have brains (and bodies) impacted by in utero exposures, especially to alcohol. The training was compelling enough to initiate changes in the way that we assess children and youth coming into care at our agency. More clinicians are asking for prenatal and birth histories. We are also starting to use the FASD screening tools provided at the follow-up training for diagnosticians.
Trainings and webinars like FASD Awareness, are essential for the advocacy and practical efforts to address the numerous unmet needs of children, adolescents, and adults, who consequentially have been marginalized by a stigma towards FASD.
As a professional who trains others in various human services fields, I had not considered the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) until I attended this training, which has deepened my understanding and awareness of the complexities surrounding this disability. It has broadened my perspective, particularly regarding how FASD intersects with both developmental disabilities and mental health issues. The training highlighted that individuals with FASD often face challenges due to neurodevelopmental impairments that affect their behavior, learning, and decision-making, and that FASD can be misdiagnosed as ADHD – this understanding has helped me foster a more compassionate and patient attitude in which I can effectively guide others. The insights gained from this training also have reinforced how FASD is deeply intertwined with trauma, which is something I can share with others, not only through Benchmarks’ community trainings, but also as we train a variety of human services professionals including clinicians in trauma-informed practices.
Kristin Reed, Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Junior Consultant with Benchmarks