This presentation explores the lifelong and often unrecognized grief experienced by individuals with FASD, beginning in childhood and continuing into adulthood. Drawing on the lived experience and professional expertise of the ALC of FASD Changemakers, it examines how ongoing, unacknowledged losses and “don’t ask, don’t tell, never talk about it” patterns of denial impact mental health and quality of life. The presentation highlights complicated grief as a critical yet overlooked issue in FASD practice and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting grief to improve services and outcomes across the lifespan.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common forms of lifelong grief experienced by individuals with FASD.
• Recognize denial patterns that prevent acknowledgment of FASD-related grief.
• Apply grief-informed approaches to support individuals with FASD in professional practice.

Presenters:  CJ Lutke, Vancouver, BC and Maggie May, Ireland