Partnership To Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Reflecting the recent increased public awareness of the topic, this is the first and most comprehensive resource for over a decade on the molecular basis, prevalence, treatment options, socioeconomic impact and prevention strategies of FADS. Edited by world-renowned experts, this compendium includes the latest research results to provide new insights and realistic estimations of FADS frequencies in Western communities. An invaluable resource for every professional dealing with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of FADS, from researchers via health professionals to social workers.

This book presents clinical assessment and management solutions for those people who are exposed to Alcohol in Pregnancy. Over the last few decades we have begun to understand the enduring effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developing fetus. The consequence of prenatal alcohol exposure - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is a lifelong disorder and affects children and adults. It is a condition which is significantly under-recognised for many reasons. Assessment and diagnosis requires the input of multiple different professionals, and referral pathways are often poorly developed or non-existent. Information to support and guide these professionals in practical ways, what to do and how to help, remains limited. This book seeks to fill some of that gap by offering professionals, clear and useable research-based information and guidance that will help in their practice whilst also being a useful resource for anyone new to this increasingly recognised area of work. The book is divided into four broad areas bringing together chapters authored by experts in their field including those with lived experiences. Part one focuses on presenting an overview of the condition, and approaching women about their alcohol use and risk followed by part two focusing more around diagnostic issues. Part three follows with management advice, and part four revolves around policy and health prevention in general. Each chapter is designed to offer insight but also practical tips and support in an accessible manner. The book offers an essential guide for a broad range of health and social care professionals working with this condition.

The goal of this resource guide is to provide teachers and parents with a clear understanding of the needs of students with FASD by: defining fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD); describing the common learning and behavioral characteristics of children with FASD; and suggesting strategies that may be helpful in meeting the needs of these children in the classroom and at home.--Document.

This eBook addresses the impact of prenatal exposure to alcohol, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). It presents a compilation of current research by leading experts in the field and serves as a guide to future directions in FASD research, interventions and treatment. the book includes a comprehensive compendium of our knowledge of the dangers of prenatal alcohol exposure and covers ways to screen and intervene with pregnant women, diagnosis and treatment to ameliorate the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (through the lifespan), and other related issues, such as building a state infrastructure of health services and legislation. the eBook is intended as a textbook for graduate courses relevant to FASD.

Alcohol misuse is a serious, worldwide public health issue that can result in a wide range of physical, psychological, and social problems affecting the individual, the family, and the community. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases a woman's risk of having a baby with birth defects and developmental disabilities. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is recognized as the cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASD is a term used to define the spectrum of physical, mental, behavioral, and/ or learning disabilities that can result from prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the most severe outcomes of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and is characterized by facial malformations, growth deficits, and neurodevelopmental problems. Efforts have been underway for several decades to develop strategies to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEPs) and reduce the risk of FASDs. In 2002, the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect (NTFFASFAE), a federal advisory committee, released its first recommendations. Among these recommendations were several items focused on prevention, including recommending the reissuance of the U.S. Surgeon General's advisory on drinking during pregnancy [4] and the development of a report to review the evidence for effective prevention and treatment strategies for women at risk for or engaging in prenatal alcohol use. In 2004, after deliberations on and publication of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Guidelines for Referral and Diagnosis [5], the NTFFASFAE decided to focus its attention on FASD prevention. The Task Force Prevention Working Group (PWG) was established to guide the development of a report describing evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce AEPs and outline recommendations to further promote the implementation of such strategies. To accomplish this, the staff of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities engaged the Community Guide Branch at CDC's National Center for Health Marketing and Research Triangle Institute International (RTI) to assist the PWG in this work. RTI conducted a systematic search of the literature to identify community-level FASD interventions and policies that can prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies and reduce the prevalence of physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities due to prenatal alcohol exposure. The review focused on community-level interventions and policies because other systematic reviews either have been completed or are currently under way to explore both clinical interventions and population-based strategies addressing alcohol misuse. For example, in 2004, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force engaged in a systematic review that resulted in clinical recommendations on screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care settings to reduce alcohol misuse [6]. Also, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, coordinated by CDC, is actively engaged in systematic reviews to assess the effectiveness of population-based alcohol prevention strategies that affect people in the general population, including women of childbearing age. This report reviews the current evidence on prevention strategies to reduce AEPs, provides recommendations on promoting and improving these strategies, and offers future research directions in the field of FASD prevention. This document also serves as a guide for those in the research and practice fields interested in selecting and implementing effective, scientifically tested interventions for women at risk for an AEP. In addition, the report also highlights the importance of continued collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies; academia; medical and social service delivery systems; and families to integrate scientific findings into public health prevention strategies.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) represent a range of physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities caused by alcohol use during pregnancy, or prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). FASDs are considered to be one of the leading causes of developmental disability, with an estimated 2-5% of children being born with FASD each year in the world. Despite its high prevalence, FASD is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed, making intervention more challenging. A multidisciplinary team of providers who understand the diagnostic requirements is crucial for an accurate FASD diagnosis. This text provides a comprehensive, state-of-the art review of this field, and serves as a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers with an interest in FASD. The book provides a detailed overview for clinicians of various backgrounds on the diagnostic process, extensive mechanistic and embryologic data, neuropsychologic aspects of the condition, prevention and treatment approaches, and the ethical, legal, and policy perspectives that impact patients and families. The chapters are organized parallel to the journey of individuals who experience alcohol-related conditions, beginning with the prenatal period addressing epidemiology of alcohol exposure, prevention and interventions, continuing through the fetal experience with a focus on embryology. Challenges of children and their families are considered next including the diagnostic process and health effects. Finally, issues related to systems of care for individuals with FASD and the broader community are addressed. The global context of FASD is presented throughout the textbook. Written by experts in the field, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders provides a concise yet comprehensive summary of the current status of this issue that helps guide prevention efforts, the diagnostic process, school and community interventions, and global policy efforts.

In 2004, the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect, coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, established a working group committed to addressing the needs of individuals living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) and their families. The culmination of this working group's discussions and Task Force deliberations is reflected in this Call to Action report. The document highlights ten recommendations to improve and expand efforts regarding early identification, diagnostic services, and quality research on interventions for individuals with FASDs and their families. Additional background information is provided to support these recommendations and to further educate readers on the topic of FASDs, progress to date, and what still needs to be done to support individuals with FASDs. The intent of this report is to guide federal, state and local agencies, researchers and clinicians, family support groups, and other partners on actions needed to advance essential services for individuals with FASDs and their families and to promote continued intervention research efforts.

In the spring of 1999, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) undertook thissituational analysis project on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects and the effects ofother substance use during pregnancy for Health Canada. This project was supported by anational steering committee and involved a review of FAS/FAE-related activity across Canada, based on the results of key informant interviews and a survey of programs to December, 1999. This analysis will follow a life-span approach.