Living with FASD

Patricia Kasper
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  • Mental Health

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.

  1. 5h ago

    FASD, Blocked Care, and the Dual Lens: Living on Both Sides with Mary Byrnes

    What happens when you are an adult living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder who is also navigating the intense demands of caregiving? In this candid and deeply personal episode, Mary Byrnes—author of the newly released book Everything Clicks—joins Patti Kasper to unpack the raw realities of "blocked care," caregiver burnout, and the profound shift that happens when you view life through a dual lens: as someone with neurodivergent needs and as a caregiver to others. Both navigating recent severe foot injuries on knee scooters, Patti and Mary delve into the physical realities of aging with FASD—including proprioceptive stability challenges, an unusually high tolerance for physical pain that leads to ignoring serious injuries, and the uphill battle of self-advocacy in emergency medical systems. From navigating the guilt of caregiver exhaustion to learning how to receive support when you are wired to give it, this conversation offers validation, laughter, and hard-won self-awareness for adults living anywhere on the spectrum. Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights The Dual Lens of Blocked Care: Exploring "blocked care" (compassion fatigue and burnout) not just from the perspective of supporting someone else, but recognizing how our own neurodivergent needs and sensory demands impact those around us.High Pain Tolerance & Delayed Care: How altered pain perception causes individuals with FASD to second-guess physical trauma, write off severe stress fractures as hypochondria, and delay urgent medical treatment.Proprioception & Physical Stability: Why vestibular and proprioceptive differences make falls, lateral foot instability, and ankle fractures common vulnerabilities as adults with FASD age.Medical Self-Advocacy: Overcoming the instinct to "suck it up and go home," learning to advocate for hospital admissions when pain is unmanageable, and navigating adverse gut sensitivities to standard opioid pain medications.Givers vs. Receivers of Care: Why adults on the spectrum are often fierce, dedicated caregivers to parents and children, but struggle intensely when placed in the vulnerable position of being the care receiver.Harrison’s Regulated Response: The powerful account of Mary’s son, Harrison (who lives with FASD), remaining calm, collected, dialing 911, and comforting his mother during a severe basement staircase fall.When Everything Clicks: Mary's journey of discovering her own FASD diagnosis in adulthood while attending coaching calls and reading Patti Kasper's Sip by Sip, transforming confusion into radical self-awareness and healing relationships.Upcoming Work: A preview of Mary's forthcoming second book, Voices of the Vulnerable: FASD and the Broken Systems that Fail to Support.Please like & share the episode, as well as remember to subscribe to the show. These actions help more people find it. Mary's book is available at: https://a.co/d/0j5ryIpi Patti's book is available at: books.by/yourfasdcoach The 4D Wildflower Apparel line is available at: https://bigfrograleigh.chipply.com/fasd

    FASD, Blocked Care, and the Dual Lens: Living on Both Sides with Mary Byrnes

  2. Oct 26

    FASD and Suicidality: Risk Factors, Suggestibility, and Prevention with Dr. Jerrod Brown

    Suicidality in neurodivergent populations is a heavy, critical topic that demands our attention, sensitivity, and clinical nuance. Research indicates that individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) experience significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts than the general population. But what drives this elevated risk, and how can caregivers, clinicians, and support teams step in effectively? In this episode of Living with FASD, Dr. Jerrod Brown returns to explore the complex, biopsychosocial realities of suicidality in FASD. Patti and Dr. Brown unpack how neurobiology, trauma, and executive dysfunction intersect—highlighting the critical distinction between intentional despair and impulsive acts fueled by high suggestibility and impaired cause-and-effect thinking. From the compounding trauma of chronic invalidation to the protective power of late-in-life diagnosis and social belonging, this conversation replaces stigma with understanding, practical safeguards, and hope. Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights A Biopsychosocial Phenomenon: Why suicide risk cannot be reduced to a single cause, but is shaped by the interplay of biochemistry (nervous system, hormones, immune response), psychology, and environment.Research Statistics & Neurodivergence: What the literature reveals about elevated rates of suicidal ideation (up to 43%) and attempts (up to 23%) in FASD, with comparable patterns across autism, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).The Role of Suggestibility & Contagion: Real-world case insights into how high suggestibility, gullibility, and exposure to peers in crisis can introduce suicidal behaviors in individuals who had no prior ideation.Impulsive Acts vs. Intentional Suicidality: How abstract reasoning deficits and executive function impairment can prevent an individual from connecting actions to permanent consequences in moments of intense distress.Digital Risks & Emerging AI Vulnerabilities: The dangers of unmonitored screen time, isolating chatbot interactions that create false attachments, and the need for structural boundaries around technology.Chronic Invalidation as "Paper Cuts": Understanding how thousands of everyday invalidations ("you're lazy," "try harder") accumulate into significant emotional trauma and shame.Alexithymia & Somatic Buildup: What happens when an individual cannot identify or verbalize emotions, causing distress to build physically into panic, gut issues, or explosive self-harm.Protective Factors & The Healing Power of Diagnosis: How receiving an accurate diagnosis—at any age—fosters self-compassion, dissolves decades of shame, and opens the door to supportive, trauma-informed accommodations.Resources & References Mentioned 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (Available 24/7 across the US and Canada)The Connected Child and TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Principles4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding by Patti KasperAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) LiteraturePlease remember to like, subscribe and share this episode, as doing so helps the algorithm make Living with FASD reach more people.

    FASD and Suicidality: Risk Factors, Suggestibility, and Prevention with Dr. Jerrod Brown

  3. Oct 19

    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 Purvis4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding by Patti Kasper available at books.by/yourfasdcoachSMART Program (Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training) / A Chance to GrowPlease 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

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

  4. Oct 12

    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! Connect with Patti: Visit patriciakasper.com for trauma-informed neurobehavioral coaching, resources, and upcoming companion workbooks.

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

  5. Oct 5

    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 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 Connect with Patti: Visit patriciakasper.com

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

  6. Sep 28

    Excluded at the Altar: Embracing Neurodiversity & FASD in the Church with Carl Young & Joel Sheagren

    What happens when families navigating neurodevelopmental disabilities step into faith communities hoping for soul care, only to be met with misunderstanding, behavioral judgment, or even exclusion? In this powerful, candid conversation, host Patti Kasper sits down with returning guests and authors Carl Young and Joel Sheagren to discuss their groundbreaking new book, Embrace Neurodiversity. Sharing vulnerable personal stories—from being served legal letters banning them from church property to being asked if they had considered an exorcism for their child—Joel and Carl reveal the deep heartbreak of church hurt. Yet, this conversation is not about grievance or blame; it is saturated with grace, theological depth, and practical solutions. Together, they explore how ministry teams can move from managing behavior to understanding underlying symptoms, why concrete language must replace abstract religious phrases, and the profound biblical truth that in Christ, every wire has a purpose. Key Discussion Takeaways Transforming Church Hurt into Hope: Turning painful exclusions—like legal dismissal letters and isolation—into positive advocacy and a gentler, more inclusive ministry model.Seeing Symptoms, Not Behaviors: Why physical discomfort, sensory saturation, or dysregulation in a pew or Sunday school classroom is a physiological stress response, not moral defiance.Concrete vs. Abstract Church Language: How abstract theological statements (like "Christ died for your sins") can baffle concrete thinkers, and how to translate biblical love into literal, practical actions (like specific hospitality tasks)."In Him, Every Wire Has a Purpose": Moving beyond deficit checklists to recognize that atypical neurological wiring reflects intentional design and brings vital spiritual gifts to the whole body of faith.Addressing PAE and Stigma in Congregations: Confronting the reality that over 15% of children may be prenatally exposed to alcohol, and why churches must replace parental blame with generational support.Reaching the Margins: Returning to the biblical mandate of Isaiah and the gospels to minister to the disenfranchised rather than protecting institutional comfort.Featured Resources & Links Get the Book: Pick up Embrace Neurodiversity by Carl Young and Joel Sheagren. Available on Amazon, or for 15% off if you scan the QR code on Monday’s New Episode Announcement post)!Read Patti's New Book: 4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding by Patricia Kasper, MA is available now at books.by/yourfasdcoach!Remember to like/share/subscribe wherever you watch/listen to the podcast – dong so will help more people find it and learn about FASD.

    Excluded at the Altar: Embracing Neurodiversity & FASD in the Church with Carl Young & Joel Sheagren

  7. Sep 21

    Best of Living with FASD: Breakthrough Insights, Lived Wisdom

    During my prep week ahead of today’s release, I was traveling for an out-of-state medical appointment. Because of this, I have compiled 6 clips from earlier in the year, which I hope you will enjoy… my first ever “best of” episode, featuring Alice Foote, Barb Clark, Carl Young, Mary Byrnes, Shannon Butts and Antonia Rathbun Lindsey. Please leave me a comment and let me know how I did, because for non-techy me, the learning curve was steep. Meanwhile, if you would like to pick up a copy of my “groundbreaking book” (per Sandra Flach), – 4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding. In it, I weave a tapestry of many threads – living experiences voices as well as professionals of many types, voices of FASD pioneers, and my new 4D Framework to better understand FASD and support those living with it. You can find it at please visit books.by/yourfasdcoach or Amazon

    Best of Living with FASD: Breakthrough Insights, Lived Wisdom

  8. Sep 14

    The 3rd Lay of the Land Survey & The Funding Disconnect

    In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper is reunited with UK advocate, horticulturist, and mentor Maggie May for a lively, candid, and deeply practical conversation. Catching up on their journeys since Season 1, Patti and Maggie dive into the Adult Leadership Collaboration’s (ALC) newest groundbreaking project: the 3rd Lay of the Land Survey, focusing on funded services versus the reality of unfunded supports for adults living with FASD. Together, they pull back the curtain on why millions of dollars in allocated funding often never trickle down to the individuals who need it most. From bureaucratic hurdles—like lack of printers, transportation barriers, and confusing paperwork—to the sheer burnout of navigating unaccommodating systems, Maggie shares why lived-experience research is essential to redirecting resources where they actually matter. They also explore the life-changing power of peer mentorship, travel hacks for sensory regulation, and why "normal" belongs on a map, not on a human being! Meet Maggie May Maggie May is an adult FASD advocate, mentor, and horticulturist based in the UK and Ireland. A member of the Adult Leadership Collaboration (ALC) and an admin for the Flying with Broken Wings peer support community, Maggie works directly with neurodivergent teens and adults to foster self-advocacy, communication skills, and connection. Her passion centers on creating safe spaces where individuals with FASD can unmask, connect, and thrive without judgment. Key Takeaways & Discussion Points The 3rd Lay of the Land SurveyThe Paperwork & Access BarrierFinding Your Tribe & UnmaskingDeconstructing the "Normal" Myth Travel Survival & Sensory Dosing: Peer Mentorship Participate in the 3rd Lay of the Land Survey! If you are an adult (18+) living with an FASD, your voice and experience are critically needed. Take the survey at your own pace, take breaks whenever you need, and help reshape the future of adult funding and community support!    👉  https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrock.ca1.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_3VQc769cKFvMDxs&trk=flagship-messaging-web&messageThreadUrn=urn%3Ali%3AmessagingThread%3A2-ZGU3NGVkY2UtMGVlMC00OGViLTlmNmQtMjExN2EzZWM4ZmYzXzEwMA%3D%3D&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_messaging_conversation_detail%3BUV0qSlXATnOohb0nVxb6OQ%3D%3D Featured Books & Resources Read the New Book: 4D Living with FASD: Shared Voices, Clearer Understanding by Patricia Kasper, MA is officially out now! Grab your copy and check out companion resources at books.by/yourfasdcoach.Peer Community: Connect with Maggie May and peers in the Flying with Broken Wings adult FASD support community. Help Spread the Word! Please take a moment to Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube! Every share helps the algorithms place these vital conversations in front of families, adults, and professionals—expanding understanding, funding equity, and dignity for the entire FASD community.

    The 3rd Lay of the Land Survey & The Funding Disconnect
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Patricia Kasper
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    153
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Patricia Kasper
  • Show Website
    Living with FASD

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