Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Understanding Effects Improving Outcomes Part 5: Screening and Referral Presentation by Teresa Kellerman Director of the Fetal Alcohol Resource Center Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities, Tucson, Arizona Today we will Review the more common symptoms Compare overlapping characteristics Look at red flags symptoms Learn steps in screening process Think about how to talk to birth mothers Visit resources on the Internet Identify services through RHBA, DDD Explore opportunities for community support Common Challenges Across the Spectrum Understanding Dysmaturity Most children with FASD have Memory deficits Lack of impulse control Poor judgment Emotional dysmaturity Think Young A mature, apparently intelligent 18 year old with FASD may have the judgment of a 10 year old and the emotional development of a 5 year old. Yellowknife Teach Not Learn They may not always remember or understand. They may not be able to apply what they learn. 1
Co-occurring Disorders Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (with or without hyperactivity) Bi-Polar Disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder Conduct Disorder Reactive Attachment Disorder Autism or Asperger s Schizophrenia Anxiety Disorder Overlapping Characteristics All Under the Umbrella of FASD Screening for Possible FASD 1. Has the child been in the care of someone other than birth mother for 30 days or longer? 2. Is there a record of any other siblings who have a disorder associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol? 3. One or more of the following symptoms: Red Flag Symptoms Lack of eye contact during infancy Did not like to be cuddled as a baby Ever suspended from school or kicked out of a program due to behavior issues Accepted behavior management techniques just not very effective Makes the same mistakes over and over, in spite of the consequences Red Flags - Adults History of alcohol abuse in birth family? Multiple home placements? Special ed classes in school? Suspended or dropped out from school? History of depression? ADHD? abuse? neglect? More than 1 jobs in past 2 years? Trouble managing money? Are friends older or younger? --Robin LaDue 2000, Streissguth 1996 How to Approach the Family Your child seems to have symptoms of a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with frontal lobe dysfunction, which can lead to behavior problems that are not easy to cope with. This can be a result of traumatic brain injury or prenatal exposure to lead, mercury, or alcohol. 2
How to Approach the Family The most common cause of preventable neurobehavioral disorders is prenatal exposure to alcohol. We know that about 25% of women drink during pregnancy, often before they know they are pregnant. The Division is conducting a survey to determine how many individuals might have undetected Fetal Alcohol Disorders. Would you like to have your child screened for Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder? Diagnostic Evaluations! " #$%&'(%()$*+$ Resources FAS Community Resource Center Support groups (Phoenix, Tucson, Parker, Sierra Vista, Flagstaff) Lending library (Tucson) Trainers (through The Arc) FAS Arizona Photos, personal stories, articles, online book store, reproducible documents, mail lists, referrals Best Articles Online Google: FASD Articles Top 10 articles on FASD Prospective adoptive parents Parents of teens and adults Teachers and parents of students And more Circle of Support Activity for teens and adults with FASD ------ Best Online Presentations Google: FASD Presentations 5-minute report by a birth mother 30-minute report by an author 90 workshop on adults with FASD SAMHSA s FASD the Basics PPT & notes Dr. Riley s PowerPoint download and use 3
TriLevelMan Best Brochures on FASD Google: FASD Brochures www.youtube.com/ TriLevelMan FASD and the Brain What is FAS and FASD? Characteristics of FAS SCREAMS Intervention Guidelines Ain t Misbehavin 8 Magic Keys I have the amazing ability to function at three different levels at the same time! Best Book on FASD Best Book for Children Damaged Angels By Bonnie Buxton www.damagedangels.com 9 Lives, I Will Survive Trilogy by Jan Crossen www.jancrossen.com Developmental Disabilities Best Media Coverage Tucson Citizen series of articles by Gabrielle Fimbres, award winning reporter Born on the Bottle, Drunk for Life Google this title for the complete series Boy in a Man s Body AzIEP Early Intervention DD only vs ALTCS Therapy Residential Job supports 15% of FASD=DD 10% of DD=FASD 4
Entitlement Programs WIC Food Stamps SSI, SSDI Homeless? RHBA Behavioral Health 94% of those with FASD have mental health issues Child Protective Services 80% of CPS cases involve parental alcohol abuse Education, Special Education www.fasalaska.com Manual for Teachers Outline for Parents of Students Services in Arizona DDD Developmental Disabilities Education, special education CPS Child Protective Services RHBA Behavioral Health Google: Advocating for the Student with FASD DES SSI, SSDI, WIC, SNAP??? 5
Criminal Justice System Canadian studies show 25%-50% of inmates have signs of FASD SAMHSA study of juvenile delinquents show 66% of detained youth screen positive for symptoms of FASD California Youth Authority Study These children were in deep trouble before they got caught for offenses which landed them in the juvenile justice system. Many are the children of drug addicts. Most were the subject of referrals to Child Protective Services. Many have parents who were in and out of prison. Most had poor attendance and poor performance in elementary school. Most moved frequently. Mental health problems were serious and prevalent among these children. Loss, grief, and domestic violence were endemic. Most became substance abusers and school drop-outs. Conga Man Conscience Development Stunted at 6-Year-Old Level Finding support in the Faith community Think Young Next week we will look at Thank You! Task Force on Preventing Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Other Drugs Comprehensive System of Care Raising Awareness Q&A Session For more information contact Teresa Kellerman at TKellerman@cox.net (520) 296-9172 6