The Saskatchewan Cognitive Disabilities Strategy...

Helping Children, Youth, Adults and Families Living with FASD

Click HERE to download a Network created brochure about the Saskatchewan Cognitive Disabilities Strategy.

FASD Is A Cognitive Disability

When someone has a cognitive disability, this means that her or his brain works differently. That person may struggle with things like learning, thinking, reasoning, problem solving, understanding information, making decisions or remembering.

Because of prenatal exposure to alcohol, people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) have a range of primary physical, cognitive, sensory and behavioural disabilities. This range of disabilitieis is different for everyone and creates a need for services and supports. Without services and supports, individuals with FASD are at high risk for developing secondary disabilities. This includes things like mental health problems, addictions, trouble with the law, education and employment problems, isolation, poverty and homelessness.

Our community members with FASD and other cognitive disabilities are vulnerable and almost always have a variety of unmet needs. When the unmet needs are addressed through services and supports, individuals of all ages have a greater chance to live safe, healthy and successful lives.

What is The Cognitive Disabilities Strategy (CDS)?

It is a provincial plan for citizens with cognitive disabilities. The CDS is offered province-wide through each health region. Each region has a Cognitive Disabilities Consultant or a main contact. The CDS consultant can help individuals and families identify needs, develop plans, set goals, seek out other services, answer questions and access the strategy. The CDS has four main goals:

To provide services and supports to address unmet needs of people with FASD and their families

To improve the availability of assessment and diagnostic services

To increase the knowledge and skills of those who provide support and services

To strengthen FASD prevention and intervention approaches throughout the province

What Kind of Help is Available?

Every person with FASD is unique and will have different strengths and struggles. the CDS is an individualized program so it might look different for each person. Two important things for you to know:

1. The CDS is for children, youth and adults in Saskatchewan.

2. A diagnosis is not needed to be eligible for CDS services.

Individuals and families have used CDS benefits to gain servies like daily mentoring support, respite care providers, aides for parent support, tutors, specialized therapeutic interventions like art therapy or counseling, or for support with assessment and diagnostic services.

Call the Network for more information about the Cognitive Disabilities Strategy.

1-866-673-3276

 

 

 

Cognitive Disability Strategy Fact Sheet

Update - April 2007 - Cognitive Disability Strategy Brochure