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Faculty Information

Identification, Evaluation, and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

CONCLUSION

Key Points

An individual with prenatal alcohol exposure can have none of the physical signs, but still have significant brain damage.
An individual with prenatal alcohol exposure can have a normal IQ, but still have profound cognitive, learning, and behavioral problems.
Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in preventing secondary disabilities, such as delinquency, school drop-out, and substance/alcohol abuse problems.

Resources

Recommended websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: www.nofas.org
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: http://fasdcenter.samhsa.gov
The Arc of the United Sates: http://www.thearc.org/fasproject/fasresources.htm
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network: http://depts.washington.edu/fasdpn/index.htm
Midwest Regional Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Training Center: http://www.mimh.edu/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx
Southeast Regional Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Training Center: http://www.sefasrtc.org
Northeast Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Regional Education & Training Center

Recommended readings:

Astley, S. (2004). Diagnostic Guide for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: The 4-Digit Diagnostic Code, 3rd
edition. Seattle, WA: University of Washington. (http://depts.washington.edu/fasdpn/pdfs/guide2004.pdf).
Bailey, B.A., & Sokol, R.J. (2008). Pregnancy and alcohol use: Evidence and recommendations for prenatal
care. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 51, 436-444.
Carmichael Olson, H., Morse, B.A., & Huffine, C. (1998). Development and psychopathology: Fetal alcohol
syndrome and related conditions. Seminars in Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 3, 262-284.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). Fetal alcohol syndrome: Guidelines for referral and
diagnosis. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services.
(http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/documents/FAS_guidelines_accessible.pdf)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (In press). FASD curriculum framework and instructional resource
guide. Atlanta, GA: Department of Health and Human Services.
FASD Regional Training Centers Consortium. (In press). Educating health professionals about fetal alcohol
spectrum disorders. American Journal of Health Education.
Floyd, R.L., O'Connor, M.J., Bertrand, J., & Sokol, R. (2006). Reducing adverse outcomes from prenatal alcohol
exposure: A clinical plan of action. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 10, 1-5.
Floyd, R.L., Ebrahim, S., Tsai, J., O'CONNOR, M.J. & Sokol, R. Strategies to reduce alcohol-exposed
pregnancies, Maternal Child Health Journal, 10, 149-151 (2006).
O'Connor, M.J., & Whaley, S.E. (2006). Health care provider advice and risk factors associated with alcohol
consumption following pregnancy recognition. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 67, 22-31.
O'Connor, M.J., & Whaley, S.E. (2007). Brief intervention for alcohol use by pregnant women. American Journal
of Public Health, 97, 252-258.
Paley, B., & O'Connor, M.J. (2007). Neurocognitive and neurobehavioral impairments in individuals with fetal
alcohol spectrum disorders: Recognition and assessment. International Journal on Disability and Human
Development, 6, 127-142.
Paley, B., O'Connor, M.J., Stuber, M., Guiton, G., & Baillie, S. (In press). Integrating Case Topics in
Medical School Curriculum to Enhance Multiple Skill Learning: Using Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders as
an Exemplary Case. Academic Psychiatry.
Riley, E.P., & McGee, C.L. (2005). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: An overview with emphasis on changes in
brain and behavior. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 230, 357-365.
Streissguth, A. P. (1997). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A guide for families and communities. Baltimore, Maryland:
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Streissguth, A.P., Kanter, J., & Lowry, M. (1997). The challenge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Overcoming
secondary disabilities. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press.
Streissguth, A. P. & O'Malley, K. (2000). Neuropsychiatric Implications and Long-Term Consequences of Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Seminars in Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 5, 177-190.