Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder — Study Review

Fetal alcohol syndrome is regarded as a spectrum. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) might be surprisingly common, especially in vulnerable populations. Mental health problems, substance abuse, inappropriate sexual behavior, school and legal problems and unemployment might cooccur with FASD. Treatment of comorbidities might be helpful, however effects of stimulants in FASD are controversial. Women who drink during pregnancy might suffer from nutritional deficiencies, therefore try of compensation might be helpful for both mother and child. Moreover, nutrient of children with FASD might play an important role as a potential supportive therapy. In addition, physical exercise therapy might be beneficial for both mother and children because of neurogenesis induction potential. There is no established therapy for FASD, therefore further studies should focus on formulating one. (JNNN 2020;9(3):119–122) Key Words: alcohol ingestion, brain development pathology, FAS, pregnancy

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Investigating a theatre-based intervention for Indigenous youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0008417417719722 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 85 (2) ◽

pp. 128-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michelle Keightley ◽

Sabrina Agnihotri ◽

Sivaniya Subramaniapillai ◽

Julia Gray ◽

Jennifer Keresztesi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Skills ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Emotional Awareness ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Fetal Alcohol ◽

Indigenous Youth ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Background. Theatre-based interventions use artistic media to facilitate social and emotional awareness and have therapeutic benefits for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health problems. The role of these interventions with Indigenous youth who have emotional, behavioural, and cognitive sequelae related to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has not been explored. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and acceptability of a theatre-based approach for facilitating social communication and engagement in youth with FASD. Method. Participants were three Indigenous youth with FASD. A qualitative exploration of the experiences and acceptability of the intervention was conducted via focus groups held 2 weeks post–program participation with the participants, their caregivers, and program facilitators. The transcripts were analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Findings. Our results identified perceived postintervention improvements in participants’ development of self-esteem, social skills, and emotional awareness. Implications. A theatre-based arts intervention has the potential to support improvements in social skills for youth with FASD.

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On fitting a triangle into a circle: A study on employment outcomes of adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder who attended postsecondary institutions

The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research ◽

10.7895/ijadr.v2i3.105 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 27-36

Author(s):

Cheryll Duquette ◽

Shari Orders

Keyword(s):

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽

Service Sector ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

The United States ◽

Employment Outcomes ◽

Postsecondary Institutions ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Fetal Alcohol ◽

College Programs ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Duquette, C., & Orders, S. (2013). On fitting a triangle into a circle: A study on employment outcomes of adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder who attended postsecondary institutions. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 2(3), 27-36. doi:10.7895/ijadr.v2i3.105 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i3.105)Aim: This study examined the employment outcomes of individuals with FASD who had undertaken postsecondary studies.Design: A qualitative research design using inductive thematic analysis and descriptive statistics was employed.Setting: The study took place in the United States and Canada.Participants: Ten adoptive mothers, one birth mother, one step-mother and one mother-in-law (N=13), representing 17 adult children, responded to the survey. Four adults with FASD who had undertaken postsecondary studies each participated in an individual interview.Measures: An electronic survey consisting mostly of open-ended items was used to obtain data on the postsecondary and employment experiences of adults with FASD from the perspectives of their relatives. Adults with FASD participated in individual interviews in which they elaborated on their experiences.Findings: More than half of the adults with FASD were employed, albeit mostly in the service sector and on a part-time basis. Four of the adults had received an early diagnosis, and these individuals were all employed; two were working in the area of their postsecondary studies. Six of the adults with FASD who had completed their college programs were working at the time of the research.Conclusions: For those individuals who did not graduate or were not employed, symptoms of FASD and other disabilities (e.g., substance abuse and mental health problems) were related to these negative outcomes. However, a supportive network of friends and family contributed to success in postsecondary studies and employment.

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