Training for professionals

Here are some options for professional development but there are many more online. 

 


FASD-CAN Webinar Recordings

We have links to our recorded webinars on our Resources page, many of which will be very helpful for cross-sector professionals. Start with 'The Basics', move on to 'Trying Differently Rather than Harder'... there are options for educators, clinicians and justice professionals.

Click here to go to our webinar recordings.

 


Otago University

Professor Anita Gibbs at Otago University teaches a paper which explores and critically analyses the intersection of neurodisabilities like FASD, ADHD, and ASD within health, mental health, welfare and justice systems and examines concepts of neurodisability and neurodiversity.

The University is running this paper again in 2026.

SOCI304: Exploring Neuro-disability in Health, Welfare and Justice Systems

The course aimed at professionals but caregivers can also do it. It runs as a 400 level course at the University of Otago, for both distance and on-campus learners. The course can be completed as a stand-alone 'Certificate of Proficiency' or alongside other courses at Otago.

Click here for up-to-date info on the University website, or contact [email protected] 

 


MHERC - Mental Health Education and Resource Centre, Christchurch

MHERC have an series of ongoing online workshops – some of which specifically include training neurodisability, trauma and FASD – search for FASD on the website. This is always worth keeping an eye on or signing up to their newsletter for updates. 


NOFASD Australia

Our closest partners, NoFASD Australia, launched the Australian Foundations in FASD online training course in 2020. This is an evidence-based interactive online learning resource consisting of 7 modules which take around 20 minutes each. It’s a general introduction to FASD including description of impacts, assessment, interventions and prevention. The course is free.

You can watch the 45 second introduction video here.

There are a number of other free webinars available free on the NOFASD website here, including ones on supporting tamariki within education and child to parent violence, as well resources for occupational therapists and educators.

 


The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia ran some new FASD courses in 2022 which were well-received and will be running annually. All of the courses are primarily online and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

There's a graduate certificate and three short introductory courses which would contribute credits towards the grad cert. 


• FASD short courses (micro-credentials)

The university's new FASD short courses aim to provide students with foundational knowledge required for understanding FASD. Both micro-credentials will cover the basic characteristics of FASD and will include lived experience perspectives on FASD. Although each micro-credential can be accessed independently, it is recommended that students intending to complete both micro-credentials follow the order outlined below.

Both short courses will have two offerings per year: April to July and July to September. Within each teaching period, the students can complete the coursework at their own pace. 

There are no entry requirements for these short courses. Students completing both micro-credentials will be eligible to receive course-credit for the first coursework unit in the Graduate Certificate in the Diagnosis and Assessment of FASD developed at UWA by A/Prof Carmela Pestell and Adjunct Prof James Fitzpatrick (note: the Grad Cert does have entry requirements).

The link to the application portal can be found on the course webpages (outlined below).

1) History and Basic Characteristics of FASD

This micro-credential will cover the historical and social context of FASD and common comorbidities.

Click here for more information.

2) Considerations for FASD Diagnosis

This micro-credential will outline the relevant ethical issues in FASD assessment and diagnosis and intervention strategies.
Click here for more information. 

3) FASD Supervision

This micro-credential will provide students with a background in psychology, speech pathology, social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, medicine and other relevant disciplines with an opportunity to receive group supervision on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) cases. It's suited to clinicians who have had prior FASD training, and have a current FASD caseload.

• Graduate Certificate in the Diagnosis and Assessment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

The aim of the Graduate Certificate is to provide clinicians with the specialist knowledge and clinical skills required to participate in team-based assessment and diagnosis of FASD. This course is targeted towards clinicians with a background in psychology, speech pathology, social work, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, medicine and other relevant disciplines.


Dr Kirsten Panton is the lecturer for all of these courses – she’s passionate about raising awareness and knowledge of FASD across Australasia and can be reached for further info at [email protected]

Click here for further information about the course on the UWA website.

Note: registrations close one week prior to start of course.

 


The FASD Collaborative Project

This is an international FASD learning project which was instigated in late 2020. The FASD United Affiliate Network in the United States identified a need to increase effective supports and evidence-based training at a national level, and FASD organisations from around the globe answered the call. Over 30 organisations joined forces to create more dynamic FASD systems of care internationally the result is an exceptional library of post-webinar recordings you can filter by age and topic

Click here for a list of these you can access online.