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
#054 Simon Laplante: Inside Education and Housing
We have had a variety of guests on the show who have been involved in the education system in one way or another, but today I have a guest who is not only the parent of a now adult with FASD but is a school principal AND an Assistant Superintendent. He shares his FASD journey and provides some great inside knowledge and specific tips in transitioning for adulthood and working within the education system.
Simon Laplante has a master’s degree in education and did his thesis on the impact of children with FASD on parents’ relationships with the school, community and each other. Simon has been working in the Manitoba public school system for 30 years as a teacher, vice-principal, principal and assistant superintendent. He is presently a professor at the Université de St-Boniface in the Faculty of Education. Simon’s areas of interest are educational leadership, second language learning, Aboriginal education and FASD. Fully bilingual, he has been involved in public speaking engagements on FASD for the last 10 years both in educational settings and provincial conferences.
“Inclusion is about a system that meets the needs of every kid, whatever the needs are. Most of our systems tend to integrate kids. We give them support but, in the end, they want them to fit the system. Whereas inclusion requires the system to change. It’s very difficult to achieve.”
Simon also serves on the Canada FASD Research Network (CanFASD) Family Advisory Committee. We talk about his role on the Committee, inclusion, and:
- Advice for both teachers and caregivers on working as a team;
- Why tough love doesn’t work for our kids and what does; and
- The importance of getting a diagnosis and how to build your support system.
“The biggest danger is you become socially isolated. You will not be successful by yourself. You cannot do this by yourself.”
Talking to Simon was just like hanging out at a coffee shop with a good friend, shooting the breeze. But since many of us still can’t do that right now, you can have the second-best thing – this podcast. I think you will enjoy his laid-back style combined with the years of experience. So, let me know what you think and maybe even wish Happy Anniversary to Simon and his wife who celebrated 35 years together on December 28, 2020!