For Tracy and Eric, adoption always felt like the right choice. They adopted their first two children—daughter Mackenzie and son Alex—in 2010, and their family expanded in 2011 when they adopted their youngest son, Jackson.

It became apparent early on that all three kids had complex developmental needs, and the couple spent many years trying to figure out how best to support their children. In 2015 they finally received some clarity when Alex and Jackson were diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol which results in a spectrum of disabilities.

After receiving the diagnosis, Tracy and Eric desperately searched for FASD-informed supports, but very little was available in eastern Ontario at the time.

There really wasn’t support for FASD or families—it just didn’t exist in this area at the time,” says Tracy. “As a parent, you’re trying to understand and support your child while at the same time trying to be a case manager and a therapist. You’re wearing all these different hats when what you really want to do is be a parent.”

The family eventually connected to a therapist who knew about a program that was just getting off the ground called the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program (FARP). The program—which is based in eastern Ontario and has been funded by KBHN since its inception in 2015—supports individuals living with FASD and their families. It connects families to existing resources in their community and provides FASD training and education.

Tracy and Eric’s three children—Mackenzie is now 19, Alex is 16 and Jackson is 10—have all been supported by FARP for the past seven years.

“One of the best things about working with FARP is that they really respond to the unique needs and strengths of each person,” says Tracy. “Support looks different for each one of our three children.”

Mackenzie didn’t meet the criteria for a formal FASD diagnosis but has still been impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure. Much of her support from FARP has centered around navigating relationships and finding a college program to suit her needs.

Alex has many complex needs, and the FARP team has been instrumental in helping the family bring together a whole circle of supports for him. In 2020, his FARP worker suggested an equine assisted learning program at Kindred Farm Rescue where Alex now spends several days a week interacting with and taking care of horses.

“It’s really hard to describe just how much of an impact the equine assisted learning program has had with Alex,” says Tracy. “Alex is incredibly patient and gentle with animals. Relationships with people are harder for Alex, but relationships with animals are so natural and calming for him, so the farm is a safe place for him where he knows he feels accepted and is comfortable in his own skin.”

FARP launched a youth group to help kids with FASD form relationships and build social skills, which Alex has taken part in. The FARP team also connected Alex to a speech therapy clinic and mental health supports. When the pandemic hit and many supports fell away, Alex struggled with aggression, and FARP was instrumental in helping Tracy and Eric navigate this challenge.

For Jackson, FARP’s support has focused on advocating for educational supports and classroom strategies, connecting with an FASD-informed occupational therapist, and connecting him to community supports to help strengthen his mental health. Future planning for ongoing educational assistance aligned to Jackson’s abilities is also an area of focus.

“FARP for our family has been life changing—they have helped us through some really difficult times where our family has truly been in crisis,” says Tracy. “For families like ours, where our children have amazing abilities and also unique needs, it really takes a village who can respond and support you. FARP has built that village for us.”

To learn more about the equine assisted learning program, please contact Kindred Farm Rescue in North Gower, Ontario: http://kindredfarmrescue.com/

To learn more about receiving FASD support if you live in eastern Ontario, please contact the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program: https://www.able2.org/programs/fetal-alcohol-resource-program/

To learn more about FASD, please visit the CanFASD website: https://canfasd.ca/

You can read more about the Fetal Alcohol Resource Program