August 19, 2026 at 16:00 - 5pm
Online
Nikita
Staying in school is a top indicator for healthy life outcomes for rangatahi / young people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, so we're committed to helping educators learn more about this specific neurodisability.
We run quarterly webinars for the education sector with special presentations from FASD-informed experts. The group is named 'Ngā Tupu Rau' to symbolise weaving our knowledge together.
Upcoming webinarFASD Diagnostic Reports: "What the...!?"
Translating Clinical Profiles into Everyday 'Ramps' for Our Tamariki
Wednesday August 19, 4-5pm
Ever opened a 30-page clinical report, felt overwhelmed by the jargon, and flipped straight to the back page? You are not alone.
As an educator, trying to decode an FASD diagnostic report can feel like translating a medical textbook. But behind those clinical terms are the crucial clues to understanding how a child processes the world.
Join us for an interactive 60-minute professional learning session where we provide insights to help strip away the clinical overwhelm and turn complex diagnostic reports into essential individualised strategies for our tamariki.
• Decoding the Nine Neurodevelopmental Domains that diagnosis in Aotearoa is based on - how to quickly identify a child's unique ‘peaks and valleys’ (strengths and processing gaps)
• The 'can't' versus 'won't' shift – moving from a behavioural lens to a brain-based lens to support distress and de-escalation
• Building everyday 'ramps' – immediate, practical environmental and communication adjustments for school, home, and the community.
Bring your experiences, questions, and challenges. You’ll leave with a practical, four-step action plan you can use to protect and enhance the mana of our tamariki and whānau.
* Please share this social media tile with others who may be interested: click the image to download the full-size version.
Fiona Harkness is a Practice Leader in the Tai Tokerau South RTLB Cluster. She has been an RTLB since 2005. Fiona developed an interest in FASD when struggling to support a student with FASD; this experience was the basis of her desire to become an RTLB. A focus of her work is to support RTLB and teaching staff to take a strengths-based approach, understanding that some students are having difficulty – not being difficult – and to have practical ways of working which promote genuinely inclusive classrooms.
Contact: [email protected]
Kim Milne is the Principal Advisor at FASD-CAN. She is responsible for the education activities of FASD-CAN and developed the successful FASD training course for educators, 'Kete into Practice'. Kim also brings lived experience to her mahi as the mother of a young adult with FASD.
Contact: [email protected]
Recordings of previous Ngā Tupu Rau webinars can be found on our training platform on this link ($10 each).
* PLEASE NOTE: In the interest of enabling as many educators as possible to become FASD-informed, we have removed the requirement of being a member of FASD-CAN to take part – but we would love you to join us! It's quick and easy, and your membership information helps us to tailor our training – plus, adding to our numbers may also help with funding. There is no requirement for other input, and you will receive just one newsletter per month.
