In this episode I interview Natalie Vecchione from FASD Hope.
Natalie Vecchione is an FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) parent advocate, homeschooler, podcaster, but MOST. importantly... she's a wife and mom! She began homeschooling 6 1/2 years ago, when noticing how many accommodations her son (later diagnosed with an FASD) needed. After his diagnosis, she began advocating for FASD by being a peer support mentor and facilitating a support group. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid and has been a Board- Certified, Music Therapist for 25 years. Recently, Natalie has volunteered as a board member and social media coordinator for several North Carolina nonprofits. In 2020, Natalie began her new adventure in the world of podcasting through producing and hosting podcasts about FASD.... and she became a "Mom on a Mission with a Microphone". Natalie and her husband John are the co-founders of “FASD Hope, LLC”. The mission of FASD Hope is to provide awareness, information and inspiration to people whose lives have been touched by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). They live in the farm country of North Carolina with their 5-year-old daughter (who just began homeschooling) and 18-year-old son (who just graduated from homeschooling and he is now proudly working as a carpentry apprentice). Natalie is thrilled to begin this new adventure of FASD Hope, LLC and the “FASD Hope” podcast series.
Natalie recommended the book Trying Differently Rather Than Harder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders by Diane Malbun
*The risks of drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy
*That social workers, parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors all need to know about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
*That we need to focus on our children’s gifts and strengths and not on their weaknesses!
*The importance of advocating for our kids!
Resources that Natalie recommends
Books-
"Trying Differently Rather Than Harder- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders" by Diane Malbin
FASD Organizations-
NOFAS www.nofas.org
Proof Alliance https://www.proofalliance.org/
FASCETS- https://fascets.org/
Connect with Natalie!
Facebook: @fasdhope1
Instagram: @fasdhope
Pinterest: @fasdhope1
Website: http://www.fasdhope.com/
Email: natalie@fasdhope.com
Podcast: FASD Hope
Have a friend, family member, or social worker that would love to hear this interview? Share it with them!
Grab my FREE ebook Overcome Overwhelm and Create Space for Yourself
Join the wait list to learn all about the membership program for Social Workers coming on 3/1/21!
*post may contain affiliate links