Development of an Australian FASD Indigenous Framework: Aboriginal Healing-Informed and Strengths-Based Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing

Nicole Hewlett (), Lorian Hayes, Robyn Williams, Sharynne Hamilton, Lorelle Holland, Alana Gall, Michael Doyle, Sarah Goldsbury, Nirosha Boaden and Natasha Reid
Additional contact information
Nicole Hewlett: Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Lorian Hayes: Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Robyn Williams: Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Sharynne Hamilton: Faculty of Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
Lorelle Holland: Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Alana Gall: National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Michael Doyle: Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Sarah Goldsbury: Māori/Indigenous Health Innovation, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand
Nirosha Boaden: Faculty of Social Work, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Natasha Reid: Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-25

Abstract: Aboriginal culture intuitively embodies and interconnects the threads of life that are known to be intrinsic to human wellbeing: connection. Therefore, Aboriginal wisdom and practices are inherently strengths-based and healing-informed. Underpinned by an Indigenist research methodology, this article presents findings from a collaboration of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples to develop an Australian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Indigenous Framework during 2021 to 2023. The FASD Indigenous Framework unfolds the changes that non-Aboriginal clinicians and Aboriginal peoples each need to make in their respective ways of knowing, being and doing in order to facilitate access to healing-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive FASD knowledge, assessment, diagnosis and support services among Aboriginal peoples. Drawing on the Aboriginal practices of yarning and Dadirri, written and oral knowledges were gathered. These knowledges were mapped against Aboriginal cultural responsiveness and wellbeing frameworks and collaboratively and iteratively reflected upon throughout. This article brings together Aboriginal wisdom (strengths-based, healing-informed approaches grounded in holistic and integrated support) and Western wisdom (biomedicine and therapeutic models) in relation to FASD. From a place of still awareness (Dadirri), both forms of wisdom were drawn upon to create Australia’s first FASD Indigenous Framework, a new practice in the assessment and diagnosis of FASD, which offers immense benefit to equity, justice, support and healing for Aboriginal families with a lived experience of FASD.

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; healing; wellbeing; strengths-based; Aboriginal; indigenous; cultural framework; assessment; Dadirri; yarning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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