The FASD Success Show
Jeff Noble thought he knew all about FASD... until he became a full time FASD Foster Parent. Fast forward to now. Jeff has been coast to coast and from one side of the earth to the other talking, teaching and learning about FASD with other Caregivers, Front Line Staff and anyone who might sit and listen to him. In The FASD SUCCESS SHOW, Jeff and his gang of FASD Insiders will talk about FASD in a real way so that you can learn how to deal and cope with FASD in REAL life, to be a better advocate and a more confident caregiver. Jeff is going to tackle all the hot topics like FASD and aggression, sleep, hygiene, the education system, meltdowns and working with professionals. Pretty much all the things you need to know so that you can focus on being a happy, balanced caregiver. Jeff will make you laugh, he will make you think, but mostly he will give you hope that you CAN do this. Hit subscribe and get ready to transform into the FASD Caregiver you know you can be.
The FASD Success Show
Dr. Jacqueline Pei: Understanding Mental Health and Hope in FASD
Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions around mental health challenges and suicide. Please listen when you feel ready and take care of yourself as needed.
What if everything you thought you knew about mental health and behavior was flipped on its head? In this powerful conversation, Jeff sits down with Dr. Jacqueline Pei, psychologist, professor at the University of Alberta, and senior research lead with CanFASD, to explore how mental health really shows up for individuals with FASD and how reframing what we see changes everything about how we respond.
Dr. Pei explains why up to 90% of individuals with FASD experience mental-health challenges, how anxiety and depression often hide behind behavior, and why understanding the brain through a “nervous-system-first” lens can completely transform care.
Together, Jeff and Dr. Pei talk about what it means to “sit in the frustration,” the danger of misunderstanding in schools and systems, and the power of empathy to calm chaos and restore hope.
In This Episode You’ll Hear
- Why mental health challenges are so common in FASD — and what’s really driving them
- How anxiety and depression often disguise themselves as “defiance” or “bad behavior”
- Why traditional definitions of depression and anxiety don’t always fit
- How to use the “Pause and Reframe” tool to see behavior through a nervous- system lens
- The emotional toll of systemic misunderstanding on caregivers and families
- Guidance for recognizing mental-health signs and supporting emotional stability
- A compassionate, science-backed discussion about suicidality and safety planning
• Why connection, purpose, and relationships are the strongest protective factors
• The future of FASD research — and how collaboration between families and scientists is changing everything
Why It Matters
This episode is a reminder that behavior is communication, not defiance — and that healing starts with understanding. Through Dr. Pei’s research and Jeff’s lived experience, you’ll walk away with tools to replace judgment with curiosity, fear with empathy, and burnout with hope.
Dr. Pei’s message is clear: we can’t fix everything, but through connection, compassion, and collaboration, we can help individuals with FASD — and their families — thrive.
👉 You’re not alone. You’re doing better than you think.
Resources & Links
📘 Join our FASD Success Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/FASDforever
▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @FASDSuccess
🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
📸 Follow Jeff on Instagram: @FASDSuccess
📝 Full show notes: fasdsuccess.com/podcast