Using the FASD Eyebite cards

These cards support relational, inclusive, restorative practice when working alongside tamariki and rangatahi with FASD. The cards can help frame our responses, reduce stress for tamariki and rangatahi, and build safe, respectful relationships.

How to use the FASD Eyebite cards

Read the card, pause, reflect and consider:

How can I anticipate challenges and plan supports that reduce stress and prevent escalation?
How can I focus on understanding and responding to the need, not the behaviour?
How can I recognise and respond to triggers in ways that reduce overwhelm and support regulation and safety?

The cards are prompts to help you think differently, stay curious, and adapt your practice to meet the needs of tamariki and rangatahi.

The cards have been used to help tamariki and rangatahi with FASD and those caring for them in many ways. For example:

Working with tamariki and rangatahi
- To help settle a tamaiti or rangatahi with FASD after a difficult or challenging incident.
- To support a tamaiti or rangatahi with FASD to set goals and create plans.
- Tamariki and rangatahi with FASD could use the cards to explain their experiences to those they have close relationships with.
Working with whānau or families
- To help whānau, family or caregivers to plan improved support.
- To support whānau, family or caregivers to make sense of experiences that could feel confusing.
- Whānau, family or caregivers could use the cards with their person with FASD to help them mutually understand themselves and their situations better.
Working with stakeholders
- Paediatricians, psychologists and other professionals could use the cards to help explain the diagnosis and effective ways to provide support to the person with FASD.
- Professionals could use the cards to engage with people calling on their services.
- Schools could use the cards to help staff align in their approach to supporting someone with FASD.
In practice
- To increase understanding and move difficult concepts into practical strategies.

Where to get FASD Eyebite cards

Whānau or family and caregivers receive a pack of cards when they join up with the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Care Action Network (FASD-CAN) at no cost. Alternatively, they can access the cards through their Oranga Tamariki social worker.

Oranga Tamariki kaimahi and external organisations can order through their local Oranga Tamariki Regional Disability Advisor.