Living with FASD

About Living with FASD

The biggest hidden-in-plain sight epidemic we face is FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, affecting 1:14 people to varying degrees and in differing ways. How many people do you know, counting family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances? Divide that number by 14 to find out how many people in YOUR circle have been affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, regardless if they've received a diagnosis or not. This interview style podcast, by a host with both professional and living experience, seeks to educate the public, to combat the ongoing stigma, and to provide community and understanding to those living with the affects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and their loved ones.

Publisher

Patricia Kasper

Category

health & fitness · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Jun 2023

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

152 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Can't vs. Won't: Unlocking Neurodevelopment and Sensory Processing with Toni Hager

   Why do standard behavior management strategies consistently fail individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)? The answer lies beneath the surface: behavior is simply the observable output of the brain’s sensory and neurological receiving system. When incoming sensory pathways are disorganized, output looks like meltdowns, processing delays, and resistance. In this episode, pioneer neurodevelopmental practitioner Toni Hager returns to Living with FASD for an eye-opening conversation with Patti Kasper. Together, they explore the physical and biological mechanisms of prenatal exposure, why the brain relies on neuroplastic detours, the foundational role of primitive reflexes, and why shifting from a mindset of "won't" to "can't" changes everything for parents, educators, and clinicians. Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights Detours and Neuroplasticity: How the brain creates alternative pathways around areas affected by alcohol exposure, why those detours demand additional processing time, and why alcohol's lipid-solvent chemistry uniquely impacts developing cell membranes. Prenatal Reflexes as Foundations: The critical importance of in utero movement patterns and reflexes (like the Moro startle reflex) in building the baseline for gross motor skills, emotional regulation, and higher-order learning. The Inside-Out Anatomy of a Meltdown: Moving beyond labels like "defiant" or "oppositional" to understand sensory saturation—exemplified by the powerful client insight: "I can feel it building in my feet, and by the time it hits my knees, the rocket takes off." Sensory Processing & Visual Fields: How differences in peripheral vision, tunnel vision, and light therapies affect day-to-day coordination, bumping into doorframes, and spatial awareness. Auditory Processing & Digit Spans: Why instructions get lost after "go upstairs," the biological limits of short-term auditory processing, and how whole-word visual recognition supports readers who struggle with phonetic sounds. Hemispheric Dominance & The Brain’s Filing System: How mixed dominance across eyes, ears, and hands creates an internal filing backlog, significantly slowing down retrieval speed under stress. Bottom-Up Brain Organization (The SMART Approach): An introduction to Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training—organizing lower-brain reflexes and sensory inputs so higher-level executive functions can naturally unlock. Resources & References Mentioned The Connected Child and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) by Dr. Karyn Purvis 4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding by Patti Kasper available at books.by/yourfasdcoach SMART Program (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training) / A Chance to Grow Please like, subscribe and share this podcast episode, to help spread FASD awareness by growing the audience. You can reach Patti by emailing her at livingwithFASDpodcast@gmail.com (mailto:livingwithFASDpodcast@gmail.com)

2. 

   12 Oct 2026

   From Flunking Speech to Podcasting: Overcoming the FASD Narrative with Ann Kagarise

   What does it take to move from walking out of college speech class to hosting a popular podcast, earning a master's degree, and writing award-winning stories? For author, podcaster, and advocate Ann Kagarise, it took an unstoppable force of nature: turning stubbornness into pure, life-affirming tenacity. In this warm, candid, and deeply validating conversation, host Patti Kasper sits down with fellow adult on the spectrum Ann Kagarise (host of Real Talk with Tina and Ann). Sharing the realities of navigating life with an FASD—from visual tracking issues and lack of depth perception to adopting five children (three with FASD)—Ann unpacks the journey of shedding systemic stigma. Together, Patti and Ann discuss moving past internalized shame, standing up to fast-talking institutional workers, the difference between IQ and adaptive skills, and the powerful visual of peeling away life's heavy layers to finally meet your authentic self. Meet Ann Kagarise Ann Kagarise is an author, speaker, journalist, and co-host of the podcast Real Talk with Tina and Ann. Holding an undergraduate degree in social work and a master's in counseling, Ann spent decades working in journalism, the justice system, and specialized education. She is an adoptive mother of five and a passionate advocate for neurodivergent individuals and families navigating trauma, prenatal exposure, and invisible disabilities. Key Discussion Takeaways Visual Processing & Cortical Vision: How ocular convergence issues, depth perception challenges, and reading breakdowns are frequently neurological rather than physical—and why they get mislabeled as ADHD or behavioral resistance. Turning Stubbornness into Tenacity: From being told she wouldn't graduate high school, drive, or ride a bike to hitting home runs, driving mail trucks, and riding a unicycle in a parade through sheer determination. Dismantling Internalized Shame: How adopting and raising children on the spectrum taught Ann to stop viewing herself through a deficit lens: "How can I look at my kids and see shame? Seeing them helped me see myself." Self-Advocacy in Real Time: A masterclass in setting boundaries with fast-talking caseworkers and asserting your right to accessible, paced communication: "I'm not processing too slow; you need to slow down." IQ vs. Adaptive Functioning: Navigating the wide gap between splinter intellect and daily life skills, honoring both genius abilities and the need for sensory comfort. Peeling Back the Layers: The unforgettable visual exercise of stripping away shame, grief, loss, and trauma to reveal the resilient person underneath. Featured Books & Resources Connect with Ann Kagarise: Podcast: Listen to Real Talk with Tina and Ann on major podcast platforms. Books on Amazon: Loving Differently by Ann Kagarise (Memoir) The Little Bird Who Flew Differently by Ann Kagarise (Children's Book) The Sinful Woman by Ann Kagarise Read Patti's New Book: 4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding by Patricia Kasper, MA is available now at books.by/yourfasdcoach (https://books.by/yourfasdcoach)! Connect with Patti: Visit patriciakasper.com (https://patriciakasper.com/) for trauma-informed neurobehavioral coaching, resources, and upcoming companion workbooks.

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Embracing Capacity: How the 4D Framework Transforms IEPs, Classrooms & Neurodivergent Advocacy

   When a child with a neurodevelopmental difference walks into a classroom and experiences sudden dysregulation, the default institutional reaction is often disciplinary: labeling the student as oppositional, defiant, or non-compliant. But what if the culprit is an invisible environmental trigger—like fluorescent light hums, historical sensory trauma, or an exhausted metabolic battery? In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper is joined once again by authors and advocates Carl Young and Joel Sheagren to explore practical, real-world applications of Patti’s 4D Framework in education, IEP advocacy, and daily family life. Carl and Joel discuss their upcoming holiday book release, Embracing Capacity, and unveil the Collaborative Support Triad (CST) model—a third-party support mechanism designed to bridge the communication gap between schools, students, and families. Together, they examine how environmental audits can replace punitive behavioral models, the power of neuroprint passports, and why addressing sensory and metabolic capacity creates a direct path to classroom success. Meet Carl Young & Joel Sheagren Carl Young and Joel Sheagren are fathers, prolific authors, and advocates within the neurodiversity and FASD communities. Raising children navigating combinations of FASD, autism, ADHD, and developmental trauma, they collaborate under the Embrace ecosystem to create actionable resources for parents, educators, and systems. Their collaborative work spans the books Embracing Hope, Embrace Neurodiversity, the upcoming Embracing Capacity, as well as educational apps, grant-funded interventions, and film projects. Key Discussion Takeaways The Collaborative Support Triad (CST): Introducing a dedicated third-party educational support role—operating much like a "cognitive interpreter"—to align parents, educators, and neurodivergent students without adversarial tension. Decoding the Environment (D3): A compelling case study of a student whose dysregulation was localized to a single room—highlighting how sensory loads, fluorescent fixture frequencies, and relational memory dictate nervous system safety. The 4 Dimensions in Practice: Moving beyond standard behaviorism and basic neurobehavioral concepts by systematically auditing: Strengths as Counterbalance: Why leaning into a student's high-interest areas can temporarily expand cognitive capacity and unlock sustained engagement. The 1:1 Rule in IEP Advocacy: Carl’s two-decade rule for special education meetings: For every deficit or negative noted by the school, the team must identify at least one positive strength. Tools for the Field: An inside look at practical tools from the 4D Living with FASD companion materials, including the Neuroprint Passport and Anticipatory Wellness Cards. Featured Books & Resources Explore the Embrace Series: Look out for Embracing Capacity by Carl Young and Joel Sheagren launching this holiday season, along with their existing titles Embracing Hope and Embrace Neurodiversity. Connect with Patti: Visit patriciakasper.com (https://patriciakasper.com/) for trauma-informed coaching, training, and framework resources. Read Patti's New Book: 4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding available now at books.by/yourfasdcoach (https://books.by/yourfasdcoach) Connect with Patti: Visit patriciakasper.com (https://patriciakasper.com/)

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Spotify

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