Elaine Cousineau
Elaine was born and raised in the little village of Londesboro, in Southern Ontario. Her love of children took her to Copper Cliff, Ontario, where she taught kindergarten for two years. She then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, where she taught kindergarten for two more years then stayed home to fulfill her life long dream of being a mom.

Having two biological sons, and adopting a beautiful little baby girl, Elaine and her husband anticipated normal ups and downs of family living, but nothing had prepared them for what happened when their daughter approached puberty.
The Power Point presentation prepared by Elaine holds the key to the roller coaster ride they lived, for nearly 15 years. Had someone told them the information outlined in this presentation, the heartache and pain experienced could have been lessened.

MP Anthony Rota participates in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day at North Gate Mall, North Bay, Ontario on September 9th, 2006
Elaine is involved in her community and was a member of a steering committee for the North Bay Anti-Drug Focus Community Coalition. She interviewed members of the community for the provincial anti-drug secretariat's needs assessment survey and personally contacted parents of young offenders, runaway teens, drug users and helped establish a parentsŐ support group for parents of kids using drugs. She helped launch a support group for parents of children with FASD.

"There is no known safe level of alcohol that can be consumed while pregnant!"
Testimonials
"Elaine has demonstrated her expertise in FASD, and her excellent ability to work with families."
Dr. Brenda Stade, FASD Diagnostic Clinic, St. Mike's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.
"You had my full attention throughout the entire presentation...Keep up the great work. You are making a difference."
Paula, FASD Awareness committee member
"I was mesmerized by the wealth of knowledge and its accuracy"
Cynthia, FASD Awareness committee member
"Your caring heart and ceaseless energy has brought comfort to many. Thank you for your work on behalf of our clients."
Member of the addiction team at Community Counselling Centre, North Bay, ON
"You are a pioneer in this field and your pursuits have not gone unnoticed."
Addiction Team Supervisor at Community Counselling Centre
"You had my fully attention throughout the entire presentation. Keep up the great work. You are making a difference."
FASD Awareness Committee Member
"The presentation was a real eye-opener and a must for all. I thought I knew what FASD was, but I didn't... Thanks for enlightening me."
Student at Nipissing University
"Very touching facts. I gave my 110% attention all to you. I would like to join with you on spreading the message to people."
Rheal, Father attending Family Enrichment Program
"Elaine's presentation show she knows what she is talking about. We would do well to understand people with major life problems, rather than judge."
Marie Robbins, President, International Training in Communication
"The personal comments add so much to the presentation"
Heather, FASD Committee Member
"Very powerful...touches people at a different level"
Monica
"I got a lot of information I needed to know"
Marion, Student-Family Enrichment program
"Excellent presentation-very powerful and informative"
Nadine, Parent attending Family Enrichment Program
"You have a passion for your subject and it comes through in your excellent presentation. Your message is compelling and important. You are a wonderful 'voice' for all unborn babies."
Geraldine Lightfoot, D.C., Motivational Speaker, Author of : "If It Isn't One Thing, It's Another" and "Life Is Incredible!"
F.A.S.D. Links
For further information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, you may use the following links:
www.fasworld.com
FAS world Canada
www.motherisk.org
Alcohol and Substance Abuse in Pregnancy Helpline
www.acbr.com/fas
FASlink Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Information, Support & Communications Link
www.fasflight.com
FASFlight began as an idea born in the hearts of an RN and her husband (with FASD) who do not want to see any more children, teenagers, and adults struggle with birth defects caused by exposure to alcohol when their mothers drank during pregnancy! FASFlight works to educate the public on the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant.
www.region6fasd.ca
To download an excellent booklet entitled "FASD Strategies not Solutions" go to this site and click on Resources. The booklet offers suggestions on how to effectively discipline your child with FASD as well as giving many different strategies. The hints for Corrections Staff could be beneficial to families whose FASD survivor is in trouble with the law.
www.cccnip.com
Although not specifically trained in FASD issues, the Community Counselling Centre of Nipissing, has been part of a multi-district planning and coordinating committee, FASD North for the past four years. They are extremely interested in crime prevention and have been working together with the National Crime Prevention Centre to increase awareness of FASD and to improve accessibility to support programs and services.
www.fasdjustice.on.ca
* The FASD Ontario Justice Committee has developed this website with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, as a resource for justice system professionals and others who are grappling to understand FASD. It is hoped that this website will put case law, legal resources, background information, and practical tips close at hand. Also, it will offer strategies for dealing with the unique problems presented by offenders,victims and witnesses with FASD in compassionate, fair and effective ways.* This website is a Canadian resource. However, at this point intime, the community resources listed on the site are mainly Ontarioresources, since it is developed by FASD Ontario Justice Committee members.In time and with input from the users of the site, the list will be expanded
For information on an FASD Family Support Group please contact the community counseling Centre 705-472-6515 ext. #259 and speak to the FASD coordinator. The FASD Support Group meets once per month and is attended by birth moms, adoptive parents, guardian, and FASD survivors.