Learn more about what’s going on at CASA Project Worcester County, in our Central MA communities, and with our partners by reading our NEW monthly blog! Have a topic you’d like us to write about or want to be considered for a featured spot? Email communications@thecasaproject.org!
Kristen begins by sharing the story behind her career shift into advocacy. With many years as a nurse primarily focused on family health—spanning labor and delivery, postpartum and nursery care, pediatric and OB homecare, and early intervention services for children under three with developmental concerns—Kristen devoted 22 years to this work. Then, she and her husband adopted infant twins. The twins faced a challenging start, born prematurely and underweight, with a difficult prenatal environment that included homelessness and exposure to multiple substances. Having cared for many substance-exposed infants in both hospital and home care settings, Kristen felt well-equipped to provide the specialized care her children would need.
Kristen had always known how to calm fussy babies and managed the demands of motherhood, even though it often left her exhausted. Like many moms, she learned to balance the daily chaos—until her twins began school. Her children lagged behind their peers, struggled in social settings, and displayed behaviors that seemed unusually immature for their age. They had little awareness of safety boundaries; her son would run off at any opportunity, while her daughter would bark like a dog to keep people at a distance. Her twins’ moods could shift in an instant, becoming very emotional over the smallest things. Having supportive people in your corner is crucial when raising children who have experienced trauma and are living with unique medical conditions. Kristen has been fortunate to have many guardian angels in her life. One of them was the nurse who ran an adoption support group, who taught Kristen to consistently remind her twins that her primary job was to keep them safe. Another key figure was her daughter’s preschool teacher, the first to recognize and validate Kristen’s concerns about their social skill challenges. Kristen couldn’t quite identify the issue, but she had an innate sense that something essential was missing in understanding how to raise them.
One crucial concept to understand when fostering or adopting children is The Primal Wound, a term from Nancy Newton Verrier’s book of the same name. The Primal Wound refers to the deep emotional pain experienced by adoptees, rooted in the feeling that their birth parents “didn’t want them” or “chose to give them away.” This wound can leave a lasting void in their hearts, difficult for anyone else to fully heal. No one can truly replace one’s biological mother and father. Kristen experienced this firsthand with her daughter, who, after getting hurt at home, cried and expressed a desire to “go home.” When Kristen assured her that she was already home, her daughter replied, “No, my other mommy’s home.” She was only four. Though heartbreaking, understanding The Primal Wound helps caregivers be better prepared for these emotional challenges.
Kristen cherished a bracelet her twins had given her for Mother’s Day that read “#1 Mom.” When Kristen explained that she loved it because it meant she was their “#1 Mom,” her daughter quickly corrected her, saying, “But you’re our #2 mom!” and she was right. Her daughter was only six at the time, yet the sentiment reflected a feeling that never fully goes away. Kristen eventually came across a medical term called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome now known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The description included a picture of a child with distinct facial features and mentioned that these children might experience behavioral or learning difficulties. In that moment, she realized this was the issue, but she also understood that it was so much more than just that. This literal, concrete thinking she was noticing in her children is also a common trait among individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term describing a wide range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). FASDs are lifelong conditions that cause permanent cognitive-based and physical challenges. Individuals with FASD may show growth deficiencies, distinct facial characteristics, and central nervous system issues, impacting learning, memory, attention, communication, and sensory processing (such as vision and hearing). These challenges often lead to difficulties in educational settings and social interactions.
Here are some facts to consider:
Alcohol is a teratogen.
FASD is misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed but very prevalent. Estimates state it is likely 2 ½ times more prevalent than Autism.
In a 2018 study of first graders evaluated for FASD characteristics, 222 out of 6,500 students across the US met the criteria for a diagnosis under the FASD umbrella. However, only two of these children had already been identified and diagnosed. This suggests that the most accurate estimate of children with FASD is about 1 in 20 first graders. This figure is considered a conservative estimate, as parental consent was required and obtained in roughly half of the cases. FASD is a condition that is often overlooked or not widely recognized, it is vital to educate ourselves about the challenges faced by children living with this diagnosis. This knowledge empowers caregivers and child advocacy organizations to better support these children. For more information on FASD and to access helpful resources, please visit the link below:
Kristen Eriksen, RN, serves as the FASD Caregiver Navigator and Trainer at MassFASD, a program of the Institute for Health and Recovery. With over 36 years of nursing experience—including pediatrics, obstetrics, early intervention, and school nursing—Kristen brings both professional expertise and deep personal insight to her work. She has been raising twins with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome since infancy, now 17 years old, which inspired her transition into advocacy, training, and support for families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
In addition to her role at MassFASD, Kristen is also a Family Navigator with FASD United, the leading national organization dedicated to FASD advocacy. A dedicated mother, experienced nurse, and passionate changemaker, Kristen is committed to increasing awareness and improving outcomes for individuals with FASD. She shares, “It is my pleasure and honor to contribute to this blog. I have great respect for the work CASA staff do for and alongside the children they serve, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my lived experience.”
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