This is a mail list for parents and mentors of adults who have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

If you have not joined the group yet, you can become a member here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olderfas/join

The only issues to be addressed on this list are those relevant to helping older teens with FASD transition safely to adulthood and helping adults achieve maximum success in life. If you are not a parent of an older teen or caregiver of an adult with FASD, but you still want to join, please check with the moderator for permission to belong to this group. This is a private group, and membership is moderated. If you believe someone is on the list who should not be, notify the moderator privately. You may access messages online and contact the moderator here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Olderfas.

Your first message should be sent to the Olderfas group at Olderfas@yahoogroups.com. Please include the following information:

• Your name
• Where you live
• Your child's name and age
• How old your child was when coming to your home
• Where you child lives now
• Whether you child has received a diagnosis yet
• A little note about what concerns you may be having at this time

Please read and heed the following suggestions so that our list can continue to run smoothly.

• Please post off-topic messages to Fasaholics Anonymous mail list. That is the list for jokes, poems, sentimental stuff, prayers, and anything else. Olderfas is for issues relevant to caring for teens and adults with FASD.
• Please try to be non-judgmental. Some of us are adoptive parents, some are relatives, and some are birth parents who carry a heavy burden of guilt. Everyone is entitled to express their opinions in a respectful manner without criticism.
• Please try to be forgiving. We all make mistakes, and may say things too quickly as a reaction instead of as a thoughtful response. When this happens, please keep anger and criticisms private and not posted to the list. Email
• Please do not "cross post" - in other words, do not send one message to several lists at the same time. Send an Olderfas message to the Olderfas list, and send separate messages to other lists you may be on. Respect confidentiality by not sharing names or information from this list without explicit permission.

• If you get your messages in digest mode, when writing a reply, please change the subject line so that others can follow the thread more easily.
• If you find yourself getting stressed out, take a time out visit to Fasaholics Anonymous Web Site
• Please don't post warnings about email viruses. Every member who posts email MUST have an updated anti-virus program installed on their computer. It is strongly suggested that you get one from either of the following reputable companies: McAffee or Norton. I like McAffee's Online Clinic with Active Shield that automatically checks for updates and works in the background whether you are online or not to protect your computer. Be sure to uninstall your other anti-virus programs before installing a new one.

Take some time to read the articles at the FAS Community Resource Center. You will find solutions and suggestions for many of your concerns. Articles most helpful for parents of teens and adults can be found here: FASD Lane and FAS Teen Fun Fair.

Anyone who is serious about helping young people with FASD achieve success in teen and adult years must read Bonnie Buxton's book "Damaged Angels." Read reviews and order it here: www.damagedangels.com.

See photos and read stories about children and adults with FASD at the FAS STARS site: www.come-over.to/fasstar.

Teresa Kellerman, moderator