The FASD Success Show

Why Getting an FASD Diagnosis Matters: Barb Clark’s Story (Part 1)

• Episode 168

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In this raw and powerful episode of the FASD Success Show, Jeff sits down with his friend and colleague Barb Clark just hours after she received her official FASD diagnosis.

Barb has coached, trained, and supported caregivers for years, but this time she’s on the other side of the story  talking openly about what it feels like to finally have confirmation of something she always suspected.

She shares the shock, the relief, and the validation of putting a name to her lifelong struggles — and how her neuropsych report revealed both surprising strengths and challenging weaknesses.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

  • Why diagnosis brings relief, not doom  even in adulthood.
  • What a neuropsychological report actually looks at and why it matters.
  • The reality of a “scattered profile” and why uneven abilities can make FASD so hard to spot.
  • How harmful character labels (“lazy,” “defiant”) get replaced with accurate ones through diagnosis.
  • Why naming FASD changes the conversation  at home, in schools, and in relationships.

We also dig into:

  • Barb’s reflections on her mom, and why we need more compassion and less judgment for birth moms.
  • The hope a diagnosis brings for individuals and their caregivers.
  • How making it official has already changed the way Barb understands herself and the families she works with.

Barb’s story is brave, real, and exactly the kind of conversation caregivers need to hear. Whether you’ve wondered about diagnosis for your child, or even yourself, this episode will show you why naming it matters  and why it’s never too late.

So whether you’re deep in the struggle or standing at a crossroads, this episode is packed with relatable moments and real-world insight you can carry into your own journey.

Show Notes: Stay Connected and Empowered

Connect with Barb!

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