In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations, Angela Geddes shares reflections and key takeaways from the 10th International Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD in Seattle.

Angela discusses:

• the nervous system and brain-body connection
• why behaviour is often misunderstood
• the impact of shame and misdiagnosis
• supporting neurodivergent youth and adults through compassionate, brain-based approaches
• the importance of regulation, safety, and connection
• why meaningful support should not wait for diagnosis

Angela also shares highlights from the two workshops she co-facilitated:
✨ Seeing More Clearly Together
✨ Not Your Typical Growing Up Guide

This episode offers practical insight, hope, and encouragement for caregivers, educators, professionals, and individuals navigating complicated and beautiful brains.

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

When we think about oral health, most of us think about brushing, flossing, and fresh breath. But what if we’ve been missing the bigger picture?

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations, Angela Geddes reflects on her early work with the West Elgin Community Health Centre, where she participated in research and community consultations exploring access to dental care and the real-life impact of oral health challenges.

Through powerful stories of young mothers, grandparents, and families navigating poverty, stigma, and complex needs, Angela highlights how oral health is deeply connected to dignity, relationships, and mental wellness.

She also brings forward emerging research showing that oral health is linked to:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Dementia
• Stroke risk
• Hospital-acquired infections

We now understand that the mouth is not separate from the body—it is a gateway to it.

This episode also explores the added challenges for individuals with sensory sensitivities, trauma histories, and neurodevelopmental differences such as FASD, ADHD, and ASD—where daily oral care is not simply a routine, but a complex, supported task.

This conversation invites us to shift from blame to understanding, and from routine care to whole-person support.

👉 Because oral health is not about vanity.
👉 It is about safety, dignity, and lifelong health.

Recommended Resources:

• NHS Borders | Meeting Your Child’s Sensory Needs – Toothbrushing
• Toronto Kids Dental | Is Your Child Avoiding Brushing? It Might Be Sensory Overload

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.

In this episode of Kitchen Table Conversations, Angela Geddes shares insights from her clinical work supporting veterans, OPP personnel, and individuals and families navigating complex mental health and neurodevelopmental challenges.

With a focus on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), this episode highlights a critical system gap: most individuals affected remain unrecognized and unsupported, with fewer than 1% receiving a diagnosis.

Angela shares a clear call to action and the need for a collaborative approach for professionals and communities of all kinds to :

• Move beyond diagnosis-dependent systems
• Build capacity across all sectors
• Support individuals based on functional needs
• Prioritize safety, dignity, and understanding

Blending lived experience, research, and policy advocacy, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how we respond when traditional approaches fail.

Recommended Resources:

• Training for Social Workers & Allied Health Practitioners
• 10th International Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD
• National FASD Program (Australian Prevention Efforts)

Please share this podcast with those in your circle and community who would benefit from these important Kitchen Table Conversations. Your support means the world to us.