Working with Adults with FASD to Prevent FASD

Wissick & Rife, October 2017

Sounds easy right, no alcohol for 9 months.

Problems

Studies are misquoted in the media – recent reports about little evidence regarding effects of occasional drink was interpreted as it’s ok to have an occasional drink

Physicians still tell patients it is ok to have a drink

Mothers who did drink can have a healthy child

Why take the risk?

Preventing FASD

From Choices fact sheet

Understanding Risk for Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies (AEPs)

Reactive attachment disorderADHDOppositional defiantBiPolar Disorder NOS Cognitive Disorder NOS Depressive Disorder NOS Personality Disorder, Mixed with Borderline

Antisocial and Schizotypal features Conduct Disorder, Disruptive Behavior

FASD- collect Diagnosescan be difficult clients

Consider FASD as the umbrella

Remember the behaviors are ONLY the symptoms of underlying physical disorder

Show significant cognitive, behavioral, health, and learning disabilities,

Problems with memory and attention,

Lack cause and effect reasoning,

Act impulsively, and

Have receptive language and adaptive functioning difficulties

Rarely diagnosed as an adult

Regardless of Label lifelong difficulties

Important for tailoring treatment and future prevention

Are labeled as neglectful, uncaring or sabotagingMight end up repeating behaviors – multiple

pregnanciesHave children removed from their care Fail to follow through-- multiple directions Lose parental rights

FASD Screening for Caregivers

From: http://neafan.ca/what-is-fasd/

Be aware of FASD

Person centered approach

Focus on strengths

Principles of working with FASD

CHOICES- CDC funded program for non-pregnant women at risk

Screening and Brief Intervention Parent-Child Assistance Program – a 3 year case

management model ACOG ToolkitAmerican Academy of Pediatrics toolkitAssociation of Reproductive Health Professionals

Available tools for Prevention

Rutman, D. (2016). Becoming FASD Informed: Strengthening Practice and Programs Working with Women with FASD. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 10(Suppl 1), 13–20. http://doi.org/10.4137/SART.S34543

Gelb, K. & Rutman, D. (2011). Substance Using Women with FASD and FASD Prevention: A Literature Review on Promising Approaches in Substance Use Treatment and Care for Women with FASD. Victoria, BC: University of Victoria

Substance Using Women with FASD and FASD Prevention

Visit scfasd.weebly.com

Many guides to download

Tools for Training students

Help Prevent FASD with Awareness