174 - An Update from the UK and Scotland with Jessica Rutherford, Ph.D. and Ailsa Clarke

FASD Hope is a podcast series about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over twenty one years of living experience.

Episode 174 welcomes back Dr. Jessica Rutherford (Spotlight on FASD podcast in the UK) of NOFASD UK and welcomes Ailsa Clarke of Valiant Minds Education.

Jessica Rutherford, Ph.D. is the Education Coordinator and Researcher with the National Organisation for FASD (UK) and she recently completed her Ph.D.  She is an experienced Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) specialist focusing on areas surrounding educational engagement and support.  Jessica is also the co-host (along with FASD Parent Advocate, Clare Devanney-Glynn) of the podcast Spotlight on FASD. 

Ailsa Clarke is a parent to a young son with FASD.  She was a high school teacher for seventeen years, until she realized that unless she left her job, her son’s transition to school was unlikely to be successful.  In supporting his transition, she realized two things: firstly, that teachers have rarely been made aware of FASD in their training and secondly, that there is often a gulf of misunderstanding between parents and teachers which needs to be bridged by someone who understands the pressures of both roles. The result of this lived experience is Valiant Minds Education, which works collaboratively with caregivers, school staff and young people with FASD to ensure that they have practical supports and strategies to help them succeed in education.

In this enlightening episode, Jessica shares the following:  Jessica's update on the completion of her Ph.D.,  her research and work as Education Coordinator with NOFASD UK, the development and impending launch of their CRITICAL FASD Educational Program, her connection with Ailsa and Valiant Minds and a CALL TO ACTION!

Ailsa Clarke, FASD Parent Advocate and Educator with Valiant Minds Education, also shares: her family's story, how her son is learning to advocate for himself, how her professional background as a teacher is a valuable asset in her dual role as parent / educator in supporting families of those with FASD and other brain-based diagnoses with Valiant Minds Education.

EPISODE RESOURCES -

Jessica Rutherford, Ph.D.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicarutherford1/

Email - j.i.rutherford@outlook.com

Jessica and Clare Devanney-Glynn's Podcast, Spotlight on FASD, is available anywhere you find your podcasts.

NOFASD UK-

https://nationalfasd.org.uk/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NationalFASD

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nationalfasd/

VALIANT MINDS EDUCATION -

https://valiantmindseducation.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094021083994

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/valiantmindseducation/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/valiantmindseducation/

Email - info@valiantmindseducation.com

Phone - +44 (0)7917731436