Our Story

The mission of the FASD Institute is to provide a safe, inclusive space for professionals, families, and all folx to learn and grow. 

We aim to dismantle systems of oppression so that folx of all abilities and diversities may be empowered and thrive. 

The END™ Model and the training we provide work for all folx but can be especially beneficial for the neurodivergent.

I, Kyle Lawrence, want to acknowledge the unceded, ancestral, and occupied, traditional lands of Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Watuth), Stó:lō, Shíshálh (Sechelt), Cowichan and c̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) Nations which I live, breath, and stand on. 

I am grateful to my ancestors who have cared for these lands since time immemorial. I hold my hands up to their exceptional resistance, resilience, and strength in the face of ongoing dispossession and colonial violence.

I want everyone to acknowledge the unceded Indigenous land across Turtle Island (North America) they have settled on.  Unceded land was never given to settlers; it was stolen and continues to be occupied and governed by settlers today.  I believe it is essential to continue reflecting and speaking about this colonial violence and to keep it in mind as we interact with one another. 

A land acknowledgment is about belonging.  The land has gracefully permitted us to share in its gifts.  This connection teaches and heals us.  Before colonization, Indigenous peoples were a part of an ecosystem that respected and honoured our interdependence with each other and the land. 

At the FASD Institute, we firmly believe in holding up Indigenous peoples' resistance and the voices of all marginalized peoples in our communities.  We support decolonization initiatives, reconciliation, and Indigenous sovereignty.

We believe in solidarity, always working to do better through an ever-learning process.  We aim for congruence and authenticity by listening and centering BIPOC voices and voices of neurodivergent folx within our organization. 

Chet kw’enmantúmiyap.

The FASD Institute is a family organization.

It is our life's work; it is our passion and our mission.

We are blessed to learn about FASD firsthand.  We have learned a lot in 16 years.  Though there are organizations and resources aimed at FASD education, we did not find our way until we could see through an FASD empowered lens.

The neurodiversity paradigm has inspired us to reframe our language and how services should be provided.      

Exploring our own identities, our privilege, and intersectionality has guided us to see how racism and ableism marginalize neurodivergent folx.  This oppression is rooted in colonialism.  

The FASD Institute is our contribution to change systems of oppression, racism, and ableism.  We hope to decolonize mental health and disability services.  

We are activists, standing in solidarity, who are learning how to reach this social justice goal. 

Thank you for walking alongside us on this journey.