Navigating Life with FASD: A Personal Journey with FASD podcaster & educator Jake Tjapkes

If you enjoy Living with FASD, please go to www.womenpodcasters.com/awards and choose Living with FASD in the Wellness category, for people’s choice award being sponsored by Women Podcasters. Winning the competition would bring in many listeners who would learn about FASD!In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper engages in a deep conversation with Jake Tjapkes, who shares his personal journey with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). They discuss the challenges faced by individuals with FASD, the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure, and the systemic issues within the foster care and justice systems. Jake emphasizes the importance of awareness, advocacy, and the need for legislative changes to support those affected by FASD. The conversation highlights the complexities of living with FASD and the necessity for a compassionate understanding of the experiences of individuals and families impacted by this condition.If you would like to reach Patti, you can email her at [email protected]. Visit her website at www.patriciakasper.com to learn more about her coaching and professional development training services through Kasper’s FASD Life Coaching & Training, LLC.If you would like to pick up a copy of her book, Sip by Sip: Candid Conversations with Adults Living with FASD, you can easily order it at books.by/yourfasdcoach or Amazon. Both options are print on demand, but lower overhead enables books.by to pay its authors a few more dollars in royalties.If you would prefer a male FASD life coach, or would like to reach Jake for other reasons, visit his website at www.mendingbrokenwings.com or email him at [email protected]:00 Introduction to FASD and Personal Stories02:04 Jake's Early Life and Foster Care Experience05:59 Understanding Closed Case Adoptions08:58 The Impact of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol11:46 Cultural Perspectives on Alcohol Consumption14:57 The Journey to FASD Diagnosis21:07 Experiences in the Juvenile Justice System25:29 Creative Culinary Adventures26:00 Therapeutic Approaches in Care27:29 Understanding Behavioral Patterns in FASD29:08 Navigating the World of FASD30:37 Confabulation and Memory Challenges32:20 The Importance of Fact-Checking34:17 The Journey to Diagnosis36:37 The Complexity of FASD38:03 Challenges of Employment and Self-Sufficiency39:59 Transitional Years and Life Choices42:21 Rethinking Functionality in FASD44:06 The 3D Model of FASD46:40 Customization in Care48:01 The Impact of Alcohol and Trauma51:32 Understanding Teratogens and Their Effects54:16 Understanding ADHD and Neurodiversity56:40 Compassion and Acceptance in Family Dynamics01:00:00 Fostering Awareness and Support for Foster Parents01:02:02 The Importance of Early Identification and Testing01:10:00 Addressing Alcohol's Impact on Pregnancy and FASD01:17:58 Advocating for Policy Changes and Future Hope