BACKGROUND: Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) often face employment-related challenges due to cognitive, physical, and behavioural difficulties, however there are adults with FASD who have positive employment experiences. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to learn about employment experiences of adults with FASD. We focused on the conditions that led to employment success, and the impacts that employment had on adults with FASD. METHODS: A survey was developed, which consisted of open-ended and closed-ended questions. We recruited adults with FASD, caregivers of adults with FASD, and support workers for adults with FASD, and twenty-nine surveys were completed. Descriptive analyses and thematic analyses were conducted. RESULTS: We found that conditions that led to employment success in individuals with FASD were finding the right job fit, using relational supports, identifying as having FASD, and responding to challenges. Impacts that employed individuals with FASD experienced included increasing autonomy through remuneration, building self-esteem, developing social connections, and becoming an advocate for FASD. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first of its kind to explore employment in adults with FASD. By learning from the experiences of those individuals with FASD who have been successfully employed, we can better serve those who are struggling with employment.

Background and objectiveIndividuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may experience a range of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological difficulties that can result from prenatal alcohol exposure. Intervention approaches for individuals with FASD are required to respond to evolving strengths and needs throughout their lifespan. Material and methodsIn response to these evolving unique needs, best practices were developed by integrating current research findings with the experiences of individuals with FASD and their caregivers. The “Towards Healthy Outcomes” approach has been developed to provide an evidence-informed framework to support intervention for individuals with FASD throughout their lifespan. ResultsThis framework was developed based on core philosophies that create opportunities for individualized intervention support, including development throughout the lifespan, impact of interacting systems, and a strengths-based approach. These underlying philosophies and core beliefs are actioned throughout the lifespan around the following 12 domains: (1) physical health; (2) attachment; (3) family cohesion; (4) social functioning; (5) mental health and regulation; (6) education; (7) identity development; (8) community engagement; (9) adaptive skills; (10) housing; (11) employment; and (12) parenting skills. To establish its potential use, each of these domains is considered broadly within the context of FASD field, including the new ideas put forward by the studies included in this issue. ConclusionThe “Towards Healthy Outcomes” framework is an intervention approach that facilitates proactive and evidence-informed approaches to foster the development of individuals with FASD. It provides developmental considerations that are specific to the 12 domains and reflect the whole person. Furthermore, the “Towards Healthy Outcomes” framework allows for the integration of research with the lived experiences of caregivers and individuals with FASD that bridges existing research gaps.

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This field report summarizes and advances key learnings for leveraging community–university partnerships addressing housing service gaps for high-risk, marginalized populations with complex needs. We describe our navigation of existing and forged intersections to develop a strength-based and individualized approach to humanizing housing service delivery for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Our account is framed by four questions: why community and university partners came together to develop a responsive approach through the CanFASD network; who became key stakeholders in the partnership; how our humanizing housing approach is guiding the navigation of complexities inherent in service delivery for individuals with FASD; and what insights about creating intersections are we applying to our community-university partnerships.