We complete youth and adult assessments and provide support and education in B.C. Our assessment team uses the Canadian Diagnostic Standards to complete a comprehensive interactive assessment – addressing all the body systems that we now know can be impacted by FASD. We continue to stay with our clients after diagnosis to ensure they have access to supports in the community and support groups that teach self-advocacy and life skills. We support our clients to follow up on the medical and community recommendations provided in the final report.
We complete assessments for those involved with the justice system. An assessment provides authentic information for legal professionals to ensure programming and informed decisions are being made. We apply research-informed practices and best practices during the assessment, support delivery as well as education of the community support networks. We are also actively involved in supervising practicum students and delivering. We are participants in research on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder issues.
1. To provide individuals suspected of having Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) with a professionally delivered diagnosis assessment using the Canadian FASD Diagnostic Standards.
2. To provide individuals with diagnosed FASD and their families with follow-up support programs and connect them with support services in the community.
3. To develop and deliver an education program that informs the community about FASD and collaboratively develops prevention and awareness initiatives.
We use respect, show compassion, and demonstrate cultural sensitivity while carrying out an FASD assessment.
Bernadette has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. She was a school administrator and Resource Teacher for over 30 years and specialized in educating the professional community and designing Individual Program Plans for students. She has published and has extensive international experience in educating professional communities on supporting those with developmental disabilities. She has presented at several international conferences and has taught at the post-secondary level for 15 years. She coordinated the Adult FASD Support Program for the Calgary John Howard Society.
Kimberly McGuire is a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia. She has a Master’s Degree in developmental psychology and a doctorate in clinical neuropsychology. She has been practicing in neuropsychological, vocational, learning disabilities, and general clinical diagnostic assessment, as well as rehabilitation planning for over 30 years. Dr. McGuire is currently part of a Head Injury Assessment and Treatment Services (HIATS) team in Kelowna and she has a private practice that addresses appropriate training and vocational supports for individuals with learning disorders, mental health conditions, and physical disabilities.
Densmore is a strong family man with four daughters; one of who has FAS. He was in Family Medical Practice in Salmon Arm and worked at the Street Support Clinic in Kamloops. He is a recognized leader in the field of FASD and research in Canada, the United States, and Ireland. He has published, has spoken at several international conferences, and is a member of the Canadian team who designed and published the pharmaceutical guidelines that are effective for those with FASD.
Bernadette has a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. She was a school administrator and Resource Teacher for over 30 years and specialized in educating the professional community and designing Individual Program Plans for students. She has published and has extensive international experience in educating professional communities on supporting those with developmental disabilities. She has presented at several international conferences and has taught at the post-secondary level for 15 years. She coordinated the Adult FASD Support Program for the Calgary John Howard Society.
Kimberly McGuire is a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia. She has a Master’s Degree in developmental psychology and a doctorate in clinical neuropsychology. She has been practicing in neuropsychological, vocational, learning disabilities, and general clinical diagnostic assessment, as well as rehabilitation planning for over 30 years. Dr. McGuire is currently part of a Head Injury Assessment and Treatment Services (HIATS) team in Kelowna and she has a private practice that addresses appropriate training and vocational supports for individuals with learning disorders, mental health conditions, and physical disabilities.
Densmore is a strong family man with four daughters; one of who has FAS. He was in Family Medical Practice in Salmon Arm and worked at the Street Support Clinic in Kamloops. He is a recognized leader in the field of FASD and research in Canada, the United States, and Ireland. He has published, has spoken at several international conferences, and is a member of the Canadian team who designed and published the pharmaceutical guidelines that are effective for those with FASD.
Other Professionals that we access for the assessment, on an as need basis, include:
We use the Canadian Standards of FASD Diagnosis to assess and confirm a diagnosis of FASD. After the assessment, the client is provided a complete report featuring the clients strengths, recommendations for additional medical intervention and educational, employment, justice, psycho-social and daily living recommendations. READ MORE
Support Groups for Moms, Dads, grandparents and Caregivers are also available. This group meets monthly for 2 hours. If participants are not available to attend in person due to remote living, there is opportunity to attend the group through encrypted video streaming. READ MORE
We meet weekly for 2 hours – there is no cost to attend. After ten weeks of attendance, there is a celebration complete with certificates and fun. We sponsor these support groups throughout the Okanagan including in Indigenous communities. READ MORE
We use the Canadian Standards of FASD Diagnosis to assess and confirm a diagnosis of FASD. After the assessment, the client is provided a complete report featuring the clients strengths, recommendations for additional medical intervention and educational, employment, justice, psycho-social and daily living recommendations. READ MORE
Support Groups for Moms, Dads, grandparents and Caregivers are also available. This group meets monthly for 2 hours. If participants are not available to attend in person due to remote living, there is opportunity to attend the group through encrypted video streaming. READ MORE
We meet weekly for 2 hours – there is no cost to attend. After ten weeks of attendance, there is a celebration complete with certificates and fun. We sponsor these support groups throughout the Okanagan including in Indigenous communities. READ MORE
FASD Okanagan Valley Assessment and Support Society is focused on increasing resilience and reducing harm through knowledge, relational, and community support and carrying out FASD assessment.
With the help and shared vision from Laura Hockman, ED of Independent Living Vernon, and her staff; the only adult assessment clinic in BC opened.
While being in the clinic, there are many accomplishments I am so very proud of. One that I cherish the most was having Dr. Densmore agree to be our lead assessment physician. He not only provided leadership and training for all of the staff, patients, and their families; his incredible regard was demonstrated in the relationship-building he approached each patient with. His tenacity and curiosity resulted in reports that were more than meaningful, they were life-saving, life-altering, and resulted in lives being changed for the long term. Dr. Densmore invested significant hours researching, writing, and driving to locations across the province to complete assessments often on his time. His infectious curiosity and passion to understand FASD changed the lives of all he worked with, including me.
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FASD Okanagan Valley Assessment and Support Society wants to express heartfelt gratitude to Bernadette O’Donnell, our Executive Director, who has recently resigned as she moves into retirement. Bernadette championed our organization with unwavering dedication and commitment to individuals with FASD, parents or caregivers of individuals with FASD, and all our community organizations that we have collaborated with over the past six years. Your consistent hard work, passion, and advocacy for this community will never be forgotten. Thank you for all your hard years of work! We are forever grateful.Read More
