Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the Juvenile Justice System

Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational

There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.

TRAINING

Tools for Success Curriculum - Working With Youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the Juvenile Justice System

Course Description:

"Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders" is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. "FASD" is not a diagnostic term used by clinicians. It refers to conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial FAS, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, and alcohol-related birth defects.

It is estimated that FASD occurs in 1 percent of all live births in the United States each year (May and Gossage, 2001). Many of these infants grow up to commit crimes. One study found that 60 percent of individuals with an FASD ages 12 and older had been in trouble with the law (Streissguth, et al., 1996). Youth with an FASD often cycle through the juvenile justice system with no recognition of their disabilities. Through this curriculum, it is hoped that professionals can learn ways to improve the identification and treatment of youth with an FASD in the juvenile justice system.

Tools for Success Curriculum - Working With Youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the Juvenile Justice System

Learning Objectives

After completing this training the health care professional will:

• Discuss the lifelong effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on brain development
• Define "fetal alcohol spectrum disorders"
• Describe the impact FASD has on the family, school, community, and society in general
• Describe difficulties of individuals with disabilities within the juvenile justice system
• Explain why youth with an FASD may be more likely to come into contact with the juvenile justice system
• Describe issues faced by youth with an FASD in the juvenile justice system
• Identify juvenile justice issues facing youth with an FASD
• Describe the juvenile court process
• Summerize importance of identification and assessment of FASD in youth in the juvenile justice system
• Apply knowledge from this course to practice and/or other professional contexts.

Deborah Stone, PhD, and Ammie A. Bonsu, MPH
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

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