Starting a fire to melt FASD

Red Shoes Rock honors the FASD pioneers –
An educator’s educator. Deb is a master teacher and friend of those with FASD. Thank you!

What is hidden needed to be exposed. What was exposed needed new growth for life and learning.

Interview with Deb Evensen, by Jodee Kulp

“I met my first student with FAS in 1982 in Utah. He was a sweet little boy who was just four years old. I was developing a program for children with serious emotional disturbance. I was the head teacher at the school at the Primary Children’s Medical Center – Psychiatric Facility.  It was lunch time and I was putting blue cheese dressing on my salad while a psychiatric resident was telling me about a newly discovered syndrome.

“It is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” she said.

And my mind shouted, “Deb, pay attention to this. This is important.” And it was, it actually became my life’s work.

So listened carefully. 

When I moved to Alaska, I began working in the Alaskan bush. I was recognizing what was happening in the bush and began to speak out. From 1988 to the early 90’s many young people with prenatal exposure crossed my life and mind. They had been in full view before, but I had rarely noticed—it took putting a face and behavioral symptoms—on this new disorder.

I was invited to present at the first international conference on FASD in Fairbanks that Judy Kleinfeld wrote a grant to pull together people from all over the world by invitation only. It was a small gathering and I presented the research of what I say was going on.  The earlier statement and the conference connected the dots. I have been educating school districts and other organizations about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ever since.

At that moment, Deb Evensen transformed to an outspoken advocate for those living with FASD, and behavior specialist with more than 35 years’ experience teaching children, adolescents and adults. She is a pioneer in discovering practical solutions that work for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. She has spent thousands of hours helping to find solutions within communities across North America facing FASD and from each unique individual she has gained wisdom she shares.

Deb offers FREE DOWNLOADS to help educators and parents.

1. 8 Magic Keys by Deb Evensen and Jan Lutke
   These simple strategies can be a guide for teachers to help students with FASD improve their academic and behavioral performance. (8 Magic Keys – Video)
2. Manual for teachers
   This resource was designed to assist teachers and other educational professionals in helping students with an FASD overcome their neurobehavioral challenges so they can achieve their highest potential in the classroom.
3. Deb’s Website – http://www.fased.com/

Deb Evensen — Alcohol and Me

NOFAS Affiliate – Alaska

Help for Educators (and parents)

TOMORROW WE WILL INTRODUCE THE KEY!