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29 | Thursday, October 13, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER FASD a lesser-known health concern in Halton by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability among Canadians, says Halton FASD Chair Cheryl Gustafson. The brain-based disorder has neurological behavioural and physical effects. It is caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. It is estimated to affect approximately one per cent of the Canadian population. "From a local perspective in Halton, what we know, and why all this work is so important, is that 46 per cent of Halton adults exceed the low risk alcohol drinking guidelines and Halton is consistently above the provincial average for adults who do not comply with low drinking guidelines," Gustafson cited. "In Halton, more people believe that it is OK to drink alcohol while pregnant than in previous years and we know that approximately 50 per cent of pregnancies are unplanned." The Halton FASD formed five years ago when little was known about FASD in the region, Gustafson told Halton Region' s health and social services committee Oct. 4. While updating local steps being taken to raise awareness, Gustafson noted the non-profit group has evolved from its humble beginnings when it had only a handful of partners in the community an almost-invisible profile and it began connecting families affected by FASD to the support they need. Now, the Halton FASD collaborative has more than 50 community partners-- representing the fields of justice, school, police, mental health, child protection, learning disability services and parent advocates. It responds to the unique needs of children, youths and adults (from birth to 24 years) and their families affected by FASD in Halton. It works to ensure FASD can be identified early and local residents receive the support they need, said Gustafson. In 2013, the group received a three-year Ontario Trillium Foundation grant with which it hired a project co-ordinator to develop a strategic plan. While raising awareness that exposure to alcohol anytime during pregnancy can affect a baby' s brain, Halton FASD has five areas of focus: prevention; diagnosis and assessment; intervention and support; parent support and advocacy; and, justice. Over its five years, the group launched its website, wwwhaltonfasd.ca, and created a resource team that offers professional learning opportunities to agencies, school boards and community services and case consultations to families and professionals working with an individual with FASD. A Halton Region report related to the FASD strategy states a diagnostic and assessment team, composed of in-kind professional services to provide assessments and diagnosis is in the works. Its initial capacity will be 10 clients. An Ontario Trillium Foundation grant application has been submitted to fund a clinic co-ordinator. Thirty-two FASD training, conference and forum sessions were delivered to professionals and families in Halton in 2015. Camp Unity, a summer camp for children and youths with FASD, saw 40 children attend in 2016. Fall into Fashion! I V up to 50% off our reg._prices on selected merchandise! Here isjust a sample: Camouflage Fabrics 33% off our reg. price Rayon Twill Prints Our Reg. to $17 m Now $10 m 'Harvest Days' 100% Cotton Craft Prints 115cm Our reg. $18 m 50% off our reg. price ...and Costume Fabrics from $2 & $3 m Metallics & Glitters from $5 m Fashion Faux Furs O ur Reg. to $69 m now 50% off our reg. price McCall's 7257 | w w w .insideHALT0N.com Sale in effect 'til October 31,2016, on selected in-stock merchandise. Look for the red sale tags. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! www.fabricland.ca MISSISSAUGA: 3015 WINSTON CHURCHILL BLVD. (N .w .side@ Dundas) 905 -8 2 8 -9 9 6 6 BURLINGTON: 3515 FAIRVIEW ST. 9 0 5 -63 9-2 516 HOT TUB FLOOR MODEL STARTS OCT 13TH, 2016 SAVE UP TO * \ m i Vocal & Ukulele Guitar, Piano, Drums, vouu $6229 ALL TUBS ARE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY. L IM IT E D S T O C K A V A IL A B L E . Oakvillg H ft % N p° rS & o NE <9 i-- i SU loTaus) A V * V i( s S s ? H m iHI GUITARW ORLD 905-257-3110 · theguitarworldoakville.com 380 Dundas St. E. (at Trafalgar Rd., in Longo's Plaza) V IS IT US A T Home Leisure h o t tu b s i3 is s p e e r s r d , o a k v i ll e , o n 9 0 5 -8 4 7 -8 5 5 1 w w w .o a k v ille h o m e le is u re .c a p a tio b illia rd s * p ools