NOFAS Webinar: FASD Intervention and Treatment

www.nofas.org
Presenter: Claire D. Coles, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine
Abstract:
Although prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects children’s behavior and leaning, there has been limited attention to specific methods for intervention and treatment for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This inattention has resulted in misdiagnosis and a lack of treatment options for this high risk group. Both caregivers and professionals working with children affected by FASD need tools to support positive outcomes. In this webinar, we will review available methods found to be useful in the treatment of alcohol-affected children. The implications for management of behavior and learning will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: (3)
1) Understanding the effect of PAE on behavior and learning.
2) Review the status of research on intervention and treatment.
3) Become familiar with some of the methods for intervention and treatment.
Presenter Bio:
Claire D. Coles, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, and Director of the Center for Maternal Substance Abuse and Child Development (MSACD). Dr. Coles’ research on the developmental and behavioral effects of prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol and on the interaction of these effects with the postnatal environment began in 1980 and was among the first to describe many behavioral effects of prenatal exposure in infants, young children and adolescents as well as the effects on brain in young adults. In 1995, Dr. Coles established the only multidisciplinary clinic in the Southeastern United States providing specialized services to individuals prenatally exposed to drugs and alcohol. Currently the Emory Neurobehavior and Exposure Clinic (ENEC) serves more than 200 new patients a year, providing differential diagnosis and behavior evaluation, referral, psychotherapy and educational services.

[@Levi_burtrocks]

This was fantastic! The only thing I would add to the "Clean your room" example around 35 minutes is that breaking down room cleaning into very small bits, like 10 minutes a day, would ease the way. It's good to remember that people with FASD truly often need ongoing support. Cleaning a room with a child who has FASD, even 100 times, might not teach the child the skills to do it himself. Often we want to remove supports once the child is doing well, but this is like removing a crutch before a leg has been healed. Sometimes the "leg" takes much, much longer to heal - if it ever will heal at all.

[@Levi_burtrocks]

Ooops, that's 45 minutes in, not 35 :)