Change the Environment, Transform the Outcome: Supportive Strategies for Growth and Success

Change the Environment, Transform the Outcome:

Supportive Strategies for Growth and Success in Neurodiverse Kids, Teens and Young Adults

When we stop asking, "How do I make my child fit the environment?" and start asking, "How can I make the environment fit my child's brain?" everything begins to change. Drawing on decades of lived experience raising children with FASD and years of professional training, this session shares practical, compassionate strategies for creating calmer homes, navigating community settings, reducing conflict, and replacing "won't" with "can't" to better support neurodiverse children and the families who love them.

Free

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST

(9-11am CT, 8-10am MT, 7-9am PST)

Cost: FREE

Grounded in decades of combined lived experience raising children with FASD into young adulthood and years of professional training, coaching, mentoring, and conferences, this training offers a practical, compassionate look at what truly supports neurodiverse children and the caregivers who love them. Participants will explore how the emotional and sensory atmosphere of the home influences behavior, including the surprising impact of walls, kitchens, and visual spaces on regulation. Through real-life examples and FASD-informed strategies, presenters will guide attendees from "won't" to "can't," helping caregivers and professionals reduce conflict, increase understanding, and create calmer homes and community settings through intentional planning and realistic expectations.

The Florida Center for Early Childhood operates FASD Diagnostic Clinics in Sarasota, Orlando, and the panhandle!

TAKEAWAYS:

Recognize common FASD misunderstandings and their impact on behavior.
Create supportive home environments that promote regulation and success.
Use practical strategies for navigating community settings with confidence.
Build an informed support network that replaces judgment with understanding.
Embrace the "Can't, Not Won't" mindset to strengthen relationships and reduce conflict.

CEs available:

2.0 CEs provided for Florida LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, and CMSW through Florida CE Brokers.

The Florida Certification Board recognizes this training in the area of mental health and child welfare.

PRESENTERS:

Crystal Dethlefs, CRPS-F

FASD Caregiver and Parent Advocate at The Florida Center

Crystal Dethlefs brings 24 years of lived experience with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Over the past decade, she has pursued extensive education in FASD, including training the FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and Noble Initiatives.She is passionate about equipping caregivers and professionals with practical, brain-based strategies that support individuals across the lifespan.

Rosemary Shulman

FASD Intake Coordinator at The Florida Center

Rosemary Shulman is an FASD advocate, educator, and caregiver whose work is rooted in more than two decades of lived experience raising two children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders into young adulthood. Her personal journey inspires her passion for helping families, educators, and professionals better understand FASD through practical, evidence-informed strategies. A respected leader in the FASD and disability communities, Rosemary combines firsthand experience with ongoing professional education to advance awareness, advocacy, and systems change.

This free training is offered as part of the FASD Program’s grant-funded deliverables and is hosted by The Florida Center Training Institute. Optional Continuing Education Units (CEs) are available for a separate administrative fee.

Sponsored by The Florida Center and the State of Florida, Department of Health