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About Elizabeth

Elizabeth Russell is a recovering alcoholic who in 2001 found that her addiction had physically harmed her two sons. Her eldest son Mick who is 26 years old, was diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorder – Alcohol Exposed and her youngest son Seth who is 24 years of age has full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Elizabeth has written three books about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

No Blame No Shame A Mother's responsible disturbanceEmployment Strategies

Elizabeth Russell - Commonwealth Bank Local Hero 2011Elizabeth (Anne) Russell
Commonwealth Bank 2011 Local Hero

We are at a tipping point for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Australia. Not only can we no longer afford to do nothing, but more and more we are seeing services, medical professionals and allied health professionals taking up the call from the grassroots to learn more about the condition and its impact on the individual and the families who support them.

Our current system of punitive intervention within beleaguered criminal justice, education, social and health systems often abandon people at precisely the times they should be getting the most help. The achievable alternative is to live in communities in which people are increasingly enlightened about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and where locally based services respond early, expertly and effectively.

Until all Australians are aware of the impact of prenatal alcohol consumption, affected individuals will be locked in a system of symptomology rather than early intervention and prevention.

Fifth National Biennial Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Social Justice — Moving Forward

18 — 21 April 2012
The Hyatt Regency
Vancouver, British Columbia

This conference will provide a forum to share research, experience and practice in order to discuss how we can effectively sustain and enhance the lives of adolescents and adults with FASD, their families, service providers, and communities. Are we adequately addressing and supporting the needs and rights of adolescents and adults with FASD within our society? Do individuals with FASD have timely and appropriate access to health care, housing, social services, legal and civil justice and employment? How can we build on the strengths of existing systems to identify and address barriers and move forward to provide effective ethical support? How do we provide focused and targeted approaches across services, and systems to create an integrated and collaborative approach to supporting individuals with FASD? These are the essential elements for social justice and we are just starting to explore and understand what will be required to put these into action.

For further information, a downloadable advance notice, or to submit an abstract, please visit our website at www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/Adults.html or contact 604-827-3112

We are now accepting abstract submissions until September 14, 2011!

Books now available as free PDF download!

To make these books as accessible as possible they have been made available as a free download. You can download them here.

My beautiful grandson DJ with parents Seth and Hayley. DJ was born in June.  Seth and Hayley have broken the cycle and DJ is physically fit and healthy, has not been prenatally exposed to alcohol and has all the IQ points God intended him to have.

dj

I am excited to announce that there is now training available throughout Australia on all aspects of FASD and has been developed for all target groups including those highlighted below. For more information and costings contact Rob Tippins at ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT GROUP on (07) 40 500 120

Module 1: The Context of FASD – an overall view of FASD
Primary Target Group:   ALL (as outlined below)

Module 2: Education and Communication Strategies
Primary Target Group:  Teachers and Educators for use in schools

Module 3: Behaviour & Communication Strategies
Primary Target Group:   Parents and Foster & Kinship Carers

Module 4: Screening, Diagnostic and Interviewing Tools about Alcohol use in Pregnancy
Primary Target Group:   Health Professionals and Health Workers

Module 5: Young People and Adults in Mainstream Work Environments
Primary Target Group:  Employment Consultants for Clients in stream 4

Module 6: The Impact of FASD on Communities
Primary Target Group:   interested Community Members/General Public

Module 7: The provision of support and how existing services may provide such supports in community
Primary Target Group:   Community, Health, & Social Workers

Module 8: Understanding FASD in relation to Criminal Justice and Police Services:  Issues related to offending and recidivism
Primary Target Group:  Juvenile Justice Workers, Solicitors, Magistrates, and Police Personnel

Links

ABC Life Matters Story

Listen to Elizabeth Elliott from Westmead Hospital and Elizabeth Russel discuss FASD.
Download or Listen Online here

NOFASARD and the Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association have teamed up on a new campaign to educate Australians about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Unfortunately some people at the current time are still not aware that alcohol and pregnancy simply don’t mix… and if you are considering pregnancy or are pregnant no alcohol is the best and safest choice for your unborn baby. The new FASD education campaign aims to show all Australians why alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix. It’s estimated as many as 1 in 100 newborn babies may be born with the effects of FASD. The key is to arm yourself with information – and that’s very much what this new campaign is about.