Description
Readable and easy to understand, this book conveys urgent information about medical and social issues surrounding fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Compassionately written by the expert psychologist who conducted some of the earliest examinations of children with FAS more than 20 years ago, this guidebook presents an overview of FAS and explains how to identify the disorder, how to work with children (and adults) who have it, how to talk to parents about it, and how to prevent its occurrence through sensitive education of prospective mothers and society at large.
Photographs and case studies lend personal perspective while revealing the physical and behavioral manifestations of FAS, particularly in children. For parents, families, educators, pediatricians, psychologists, adoption workers, lawyers, judges, social workers, nurses, and child care providers, this timely work speaks to everyone, promoting understanding and awareness of the challenges faced by the children who have this entirely preventable disability.
Reviews
Review: Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography
"Presents a comprehensive overview of the field that is aimed at professionals, families, and communities."
Review: Family and Community Health
"There is a sense of hope that together we can make great strides in preventing this birth defect while also providing much needed resources for the children and adults who are born with FAS."
Review: Journal of Studies on Alcohol
"It will quickly find its way onto home and library bookshelves."
Table of Contents
Section I: The Diseases of Fetal Alcohol
- Overview of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Can Cause a Spectrum of Effects
Problems with Getting a Diagnosis
Incidence of FAS
Problems with Studying FAS Populations
Overview of Sections
- Diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Documenting Exposure
The Diagnostic Process
Physical Findings in FAS
Age-Related Changes in FAS Features
Fetal Alcohol Effects and Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Measuring CNS Dysfunction
- From Awareness to Public Policy
The Path to Clinical Recognition
The Path to Scientific Validation
Tracking the Long-Term Effects of FAS
The Path to an Effective Public Policy on Alcohol and Pregnancy
Section II: The Science of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Alcohol as a Teratogen
Understanding Teratology
Neurobehavioral Teratology of Alcohol
- Alcohol's Impact on Children
Children of Alcoholic Mothers
How a Mother's Alcoholism Affects Her Children and Her Health
Children of Alcoholic Fathers and Families
Alcohol and Children When Mothers Drink Socially
Conclusions
- Primary and Secondary Disabilities
Primary Disabilities Arise from Organic Brain Damage
Brain-Behavior Relationships that Contribute to Primary Disabilities
Measuring Primary Disabilities in Groups of Individuals with FAS/FAE
Measuring Secondary Disabilities in Groups of Individuals with FAS/FAE
Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Secondary Disabilities
Conclusions
Section III: A Life-Span Approach to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Seven Common Misconceptions About FAS/FAE
Problems, Concerns, and Recommendations
Identifying the Behavioral Phenotype of FAS/FAE
Focusing on the Individual
Understanding People with FAS/FAE Throughout the Life Span
Four Wishes
- The Advocacy Model
What Is an Advocate?
Who Can Be an Advocate?
What Makes an Advocate Successful?
Preventing Secondary Disabilities Through Advocacy
Advocating for Advocates
- Families Speak Out
Families Have Diverse Backgrounds
Families Illustrate Important Issues
Families Reveal Similar Needs
Conclusions
Section IV: Preparing People with FAS for Life in the Community
- Problems Encountered by People with FAS/FAE
Recognizing and Accepting Disabilities
Planning Early for a Healthy Life
Building Personal Strengths at Home
How Society Can Help
- Guidelines for School
An FAS/FAE Plan for School Districts
School-Parent Collaboration
FAS Overview for Classroom Teachers
Guidelines for Using the Advocacy Model with a Student with FAS/FAE at School
Summary
- Guidelines for Human Service
Identifying and Serving Individuals with FAS/FAE with Community Services
Alcohol and Other Drug Treatments
Mental Health Treatment
Juvenile Justice and Corrections
Conclusions
Section V: Preventing Fetal Alcohol Damage
- Education, Training, and Public Policy
Public Education
Professional Training
Public Policy
Conclusions
- Effective Prevention Programs for High-Risk Mothers
Intervening in Alcohol Abuse During Pregnancy
Intervening After Delivery
Epilogue
Resource Appendix
Permissions
Index