FASD Resources: Improving Outcomes for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

[Update: On 11/16/2021, this blog post was updated to include the presentation slides for a follow-up webinar LABBN hosted on this topic.]

A baby exposed to alcohol during pregnancy can have many lifelong physical, mental, and behavioral problems. And although there is no cure for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), there are things we can do to help improve a child’s developmental outcomes.

In a webinar LA Best Babies Network hosted on September 13, Michele Walker-Bauer, Ph.D. PSY, provided an overview of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and explained how home visiting staff can adopt a FASD-informed approach to best support children living with FASDs. And on November 10, Ana C. Cardenas Rolon, LCSW, from the Violence Intervention Program, presented a follow-up webinar on effective interventions that can be used to address primary disabilities for children with FASDs.

We were asked not to record either webinar, but you can find the presentation slides for each webinar here:

• Improving Outcomes for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (Dr. Walker-Bauer’s presentation)
• Effective Interventions for Families and Children with FASD (Ana C. Cardenas Rolon’s presentation)

We’ve included a list of helpful resources below.

Also see: Webinar: Perinatal Substance Use: Screening, Treatment, and Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes

Resources

Many of the resources listed below were provided by Michele Walker-Bauer, Ph.D. PSY.

Research and Data

• Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 4 US Communities (JAMA Pediatrics)
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) (CDC)

FASD Medical Screening/Assessment and Treatment Support

• Quick Tips for Assessing Maternal Alcohol Consumption (Strategies for Enhancing Early Developmental Success (SEEDS Program))
• To make a referral for a FASD medical screening/assessment, please complete and send the LAC+USC FASD Medical Clinic referral form in an encrypted email to Jacqueline Bravo, LCSW at jbravo2@dhs.lacounty.gov (LAC+USC Violence Intervention Program Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Clinic)
• Obtaining Prenatal Alcohol Exposure History in a Pediatric Setting (ORAU IMA)
• Treatment and Support Services (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)

Parenting Support Services

• Violence Intervention Program Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program’s specialized services include:
  1. 6-week Triumph Over the Challenges of FASD parenting class several times per year in English and Spanish
  2. A collateral-focused Families Moving Forward Program for caregivers of children with FASD between the ages of 4-12 years
  3. A FASD monthly Parent Support Group
     
     You can submit a referral to the Violence Intervention Program via their online referral form.

General Resources

• Reframe the Behavior (author unknown)
• FASD-Informed Lens (Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD))
• Eight Magic Keys: Planning for Students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (by Deb Evenson and Jan Lutke)
• Strategies for Infants and Toddlers with an Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) (Hawaii State Department of Health)
• Living with Infants, Toddlers, and Children who Have Been Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol (Texas Department of Family and Protective Services)
• Intervention IDEAs for Infants, Toddlers, Children, and Youth Impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) (U.S. Office of Special Education Programs)
• Resources for teachers and parents of elementary and middle school children with FASD (University of Vermont College of Education and Social Services)
• What Educators Can Do (FASD HUB Australia)
• Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A Comprehensive Guide for Pre-K-8 Educators (Duke University)
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (National CASA Podcast)
• Center for FASD Justice & Equity