scholarly journals Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): A call on mental health treatment professionals to become informed

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrod Brown ◽  
Diane Harr ◽  
Stephen Morgan ◽  
Stefanie Varga ◽  
Amanda Fenrich
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

scholarly journals 59 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Canada’s Children: Pediatric Advocacy for Optimal Physical and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e24-e25
Author(s):  
Jocelynn Cook ◽  
Ana Hanlon-Dearman ◽  
Kathy Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Canadian Population ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Abstract Introduction/Background Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe the range of physical and neurobehavioural effects that may result from prenatal exposure to alcohol. With school prevalence figures of approximately 4%, this may represent as many as 224,000 children across Canada. The pediatrician is key to identifying children who may be at risk based on exposure and in providing regular health and developmental surveillance to families caring for these children. To date, information about the range of specific co-morbidities in the paediatric population has not been clearly established for the Canadian population. The Canadian National FASD Dataform has been collecting diagnostic and assessment data from specialty FASD clinics across Canada for the last 6 years. Objectives The purpose of this abstract is to describe the physical and mental health conditions seen in children and adolescents with FASD in Canada. Design/Methods The Canadian National Dataform collects information from 29 Canadian FASD diagnostic clinics. Dataform started in 2011 as a project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada to provide national clinical information on FASD in Canada. The database is hosted on the RedCap platform. De-identified clinical data collected includes information on FASD diagnoses, other prenatal exposures, brain domains of impairment and physical/mental health co-morbidities. Descriptive and quantitative analyses were used to compare individuals with and without FASD in the sample. Results Of the 1,684 records in the database, 58% had FASD, 11% were designated as At Risk for FASD and 31% did not receive an FASD-related diagnosis. Nine percent (N=152) were between the ages of 0-5 years, 46% (N=780) were 6-12 years and 24% (N=402) were 13-17 years of age. Of all individuals with FASD, 53% were also exposed prenatally to other substances including nicotine (43%), cannabis (29%) and cocaine/crack (18%), which did not significantly differ from the exposures of those who do not have FASD in the sample. Eighty-eight percent of the sample had confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Data show that children and adolescents across all age groups who meet criteria for FASD had significantly more impairment across each of the 10 brain domains measured when compared to those who have PAE but do not meet criteria for an-FASD diagnosis (Figure 1). The children and adolescents with FASD had significantly higher physical and mental health co-morbidities across all age cohorts (Tables 1 and 2). It is important to note that, in most cases, the rates of co-morbidities are higher than in the general Canadian population. Conclusion Children with FASD/PAE are at risk for physical and mental health co-morbidity and on-going risk for developing new and significant health challenges. They should be followed by a community pediatrician. Appropriate anticipatory guidance should be provided to families at check-ups, including referrals for early intervention. A community team to support families caring for complex children optimizes developmental outcomes, reducing the burden of care. Understanding complexities of PAE changes how we consider public health policy/service delivery.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) at a Mental Health Outpatient Treatment Provider in Minnesota

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerrod Brown ◽  
Diane Harr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Outpatient Treatment ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Basic Symptoms ◽  
Impact On Treatment ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is characterized by deficits in adaptive and cognitive functioning. This disorder is typically accompanied by co-occurring disorders and conditions (e.g., mood, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders). This complicated presentation of diverse symptoms makes the process of screening, assessing, and diagnosing FASD very difficult, limiting the likelihood that clients receive the treatment and services that they need. Although mental health care providers have an opportunity to intervene on behalf of clients with FASD, professionals may not be very familiar or comfortable with this complicated and life-altering disorder. The present study explores the familiarity of 79 mental health outpatient treatment professionals’ personal knowledge and training about FASD. Findings suggest that the majority of respondents had received at least some FASD training, understood the basic symptoms of FASD, and were realistic about FASD’s impact on treatment.

Mental health issues in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Pei ◽  
Kennedy Denys ◽  
Janet Hughes ◽  
Carmen Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
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