2026 Education and FASD International Conference • Oct 23, 2026

The Key Ingredient is Mindfulness: Strategies from a FASD Keyworker, Clinical Counsellor, & Community Educator

1:30PM to 2:50PM PDT / 80min

When mindfulness has become a catch phrase these days, how do we support youth who have tried it, but didn’t find it useful, or were left feeling more dysregulated than before? Throughout this presentation I will incorporate short mindfulness-based exercises, that align with neurodiverse-affirming protocols and advanced therapeutic modalities. How can we find comfort in mindfulness for ourselves, so we can naturally help co-regulate our clients, students, family members, and overall communities? The FASD Keyworkers from across BC’s Lower Mainland have a crucial role beyond co-regulation, and I will also provide a brief overview of how they support families in innovative ways, while working to support their wrap-around communities. The question that I keep coming back to, is how can we help educators prioritize learning rich opportunities that integrate trauma-informed and neurodiverse-affirming strategies, when the needs of the classrooms outweigh the available supports? Using a mix of research, step by step meditation instructions, and tangible exercises, this presentation is designed to leave you feeling more regulated than before the session. At best, I hope you leave with more ease and confidence in co-regulating those kids who might want it the least, but need it the most.