FASDPLAY™

Individuals with FASD face challenges and barriers in accessing mental health services that provide whole-body diagnosis-focused support. Organizations such as CANFASD (2024) have argued that mental health is an essential consideration for people with FASD despite the challenges they face in accessing mental health services and support. Studies such as the "Lay of the Land" (Himmelreich et al., 2020) have presented how FASD is a whole-body diagnosis, arguing that services and interventions must focus on the holistic experiences of individuals with FASD. The FASD Changemakers recently presented (2023) the secondary results of the Lay of the Land Survey, which highlighted the inequalities and inequities faced by adults with FASD, particularly in their access to effective services, such as FASD-informed mental health treatment.

Despite the importance of effective mental health services for individuals with FASD, there is little practice or evidence-based research exploring interventions or modalities. FASDPLAY™was founded considering the whole body needs of individuals witih FASD across the lifespan. This evidence-based, person-centred trauma therapy modality incorporates research and clinical considerations from interpersonal neurobiology, somatics, neurodiversity-affirming care, disability-affirming care, child-centred play therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and traditional modalities.