Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Neuro developmental Disorders

This page features a variety of resources for families raising and working with children, youth or young adults who have experienced prenatal exposure to alcohol or drugs.  Several resources, noted with a (T) below, are particularly helpful for sharing background information with teachers and other adults who work with children and youth with FASD.

The ABCs of back to school with FASD

Informative PDF on the ABCs of  Back to School with FASD from the North American Council on Adoptable Children.

  • Factsheet, The ABCs of back to school with FASD


Effective Strategies Checklist: Children and Youth with Developmental Disorders and Challenging Behaviors

Children and youth who have intellectual disabilities or developmental disorders are at elevated risk for co-occurring psychiatric or behavioral problems. These young people pose a serious challenge for administrators, program directors and clinicians, especially when they present with aggressive or disruptive behaviors. When appropriate community services have not been organized, these youth can be among the most difficult and costly to serve. Across the country, their families report relentless stress, partly because it is very difficult to obtain the help they need. This paper provides resources and strategies that have improved outcomes and lowered costs, while diminishing risk for institutional placements, referrals to juvenile justice and child welfare.

  • Worksheet, Effective Strategies Checklist: Children and Youth with Developmental Disorders and Challenging Behaviors


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Educational Strategies handbook from Sanford School of Medicine

The educational strategies presented in this handbook are intended to be helpful to all teachers who work with students who may have a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). If this is your first time teaching a student with an FASD, this guide should be extremely helpful. While many of the strategies are general and are appropriate to use with all students who may share some of the learning needs of students with an FASD, they should be especially helpful to use with students who have been diagnosed with an FASD, from Sanford School of Medicine, Univ of South Dakota.

  • Document, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Educational Strategies handbook from Sanford School of Medicine


Parenting Tips for Kids with FASD

From nonprofit Creating A Family, this tip sheet offers 7 strategies for parenting children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

  • Factsheet, Parenting Tips for Kids with FASD

    Parenting Tips fact sheet


Me and My FASD website

This website from the UK Department of Health and Social Care is designed for children, youth and young adults who have had prenatal exposure to alcohol, and may be diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Interactive tools and resources help youth, families and connected adults learn more about the condition and how to cope.

  • Website, Me and My FASD website

    Me and My FASD website


Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD)

A website of the Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD), funded by the British Columbia Ministry of Education shares current research, ideas, strategies, training and resources in order to build capacity in schools for students with FASD and their teachers.

  • Website, Provincial Outreach Program for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (POPFASD)

    POPFASD website


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: What Families Say about Parenting FASD fact sheet
June 09, 2023

This Fact Sheet, produced by GMU Intern Charlotte Walmsley in Spring 2023, provides suggestions based on lived experiences of parents and caregivers raising children, youth and young adults with FASD. Links to additional resources are included.

  • PDF, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: What Families Say about Parenting FASD fact sheet


Proof Alliance North Carolina

Proof Alliance NC strives to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies by providing training, education and resources to professionals who serve individuals of reproductive age, deliver prevention messaging and resources to individuals who can become pregnant, as well as resources for professionals who provide supports to families and individuals impacted by FASD.

  • Website, Proof Alliance North Carolina


Preventing Secondary Characteristics of FASD: What Does the Research Say? webinar
January 31, 2023

Originally broadcast live on January 31, 2023, this webinar featured a replay of a FASD Collaborative webinar on Preventing Secondary Characteristics of FASD by Adrienne Bashista, Director, Families Affected by FASD (FAFASD). Ms. Bashista addressed questions from participants at the end of the webinar.

Presenter Adrienne Bashista can be reached at fasdfamilies@gmail.com.

  • Webinar, Preventing Secondary Characteristics of FASD: What Does the Research Say? webinar

    Webinar recording


Interdisciplinary Diagnosis and Interventions for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders webinar
January 24, 2023

Originally broadcast live on January 24, 2023, this webinar features Dr. Elizabeth Cleveland of the Central Arkansas University. Dr. Cleveland overviews FASD and in particular, the  diagnosis of FAS and ND-PAE. She offers recommendations for meeting the needs of children, youth and young adults in home and school settings.

  • Webinar, Interdisciplinary Diagnosis and Interventions for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders webinar

    Webinar recording

  • PDF, Interdisciplinary Diagnosis and Interventions for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders webinar

    Dr. Cleveland's presentation slides


Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar
January 17, 2023

Originally broadcast live on January 17, 2023, this Formed Families Forward-hosted webinar featured panelists:

Nate Sheets, Behavior Consultant and Parent Coach at Oregon Behavior Consultation, https://cognitivesupports.com/

Carson Kautz-Turnbull, 5th year graduate student at the University of Rochester, working with Dr. Christie Petrenko. ckautz@ur.rochester.edu Ms. Kautz-Turnbull shared this resource for families and educators: Families Moving Forward Connect project and related app: https://fmfconnect.com/

Kelly Henderson, PhD, Executive Director, Formed Families Forward

Additional scholarly resources suggested by Ms. Kautz-Turnbull are also provided here.

  • Webinar, Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Recording of Panel webinar

  • PDF, Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Self care in Caregivers of Children with FASD

  • PDF, Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar

    A Mobile Health Intervention for FASD Families Moving Forward Connect

  • PDF, Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Initial Feasbility of the Families Moving Forward Connect App

  • PDF, Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar

    A­ meta analytic­ review­ of ­adaptive ­functioning ­in ­fetal­ alcohol­ spectrum­ disorders,­ and ­the ­effect of­ IQ, ­executive­ functioning, and ­age

  • PDF, Addressing Challenges Faced by Students with a FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Strengths and Positive Influences of Children with FASD


FASD United

FASD United, formerly National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, NOFAS, works to prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and other substances known to harm fetal development by raising awareness and supporting women before and during their pregnancy, and supports individuals, families, and communities living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and other preventable intellectual/developmental disabilities.

  • Website, FASD United


FASD in Schools webinar
January 27, 2022

Delivered live on January 27, 2022, this webinar overviewed major educational provisions for serving students with FASD in schools. Presented by Dr. Kelly Henderson of FFF, the session also covered ways for building home/school collaborations and offered a variety of resources for educators and families.

  • Webinar, FASD in Schools webinar

    Webinar recording

  • PDF, FASD in Schools webinar

    presentation slides

  • PDF, FASD in Schools webinar

    Changing our Approach blog from Barb Clark

  • PDF, FASD in Schools webinar

    Improving the Behavior of Children with FASD 2021 article by Hutton


FASD Educational Interventions webinar
January 20, 2022

Hosted live by FFF on January 20, 2022, this webinar featured Dr. Molly Millians of Emory University reviewing evidence-based interventions for children and youth with prenatal alcohol exposure.

  • Webinar, FASD Educational Interventions webinar

    Webinar recording

  • PDF, FASD Educational Interventions webinar

    Presentation slides

  • PDF, FASD Educational Interventions webinar

    Handout with resources from Dr. Millians


Improving the Behavior of Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders article

From Teaching Exceptional Children journal, this article by Hutton (2021) offers strategies for addressing FASD in the classroom.

  • PDF, Improving the Behavior of Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders article

    Article


Prenatal Alcohol and Other Drug Exposures in Child Welfare Study: Final Report

This September 2021 report from Children’s Bureau Administration for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reports findings from the Prenatal Alcohol and Other Drug Exposures in Child Welfare (PAODE-CW) study. The primary objective of this study was to examine the current state of child welfare practice regarding identification of and service referrals for children with prenatal substance exposure with a strong focus on exposures to alcohol. This study focused on how child welfare agencies can obtain important information about FASD and other conditions when children come into contact with the system, and how they use this information to provide services to support affected children and strengthen their relationships with parents and/or caregivers.
Date from state and local child welfare agencies and from foster and adoptive parents are reported.

  • Report, Prenatal Alcohol and Other Drug Exposures in Child Welfare Study: Final Report


FASD Diagnosis webinar
January 13, 2022

Delivered live on January 13, 2022, FFF hosted Dr. Renee Turchi for a webinar about diagnosis of conditions under the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders umbrella.

  • Webinar, FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Webinar Recording

  • PDF, FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Slides from Dr. Turchi FASD Diagnosis

  • PDF, FASD Diagnosis webinar

    Turchi and colleagues article on FASD Integrated Care


Instilling Hope: A Brain Based Approach to Understanding FASDs and other Neurobehavioral Conditions webinar
January 06, 2022

Presented live on January 6, 2022, this webinar features counselor and FASCETS Director Melissa Elligson covering foundational information about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other neurobehavioral conditions. Slides are available upon request from Melissa, melligson@gmail.com.

  • Video, Instilling Hope: A Brain Based Approach to Understanding FASDs and other Neurobehavioral Conditions webinar

    Recording of Instilling Hope webinar


Onward: The Formed Families Forward podcast, Epi. 2 FASD

The 2nd episode of Onward: The FFF Podcast is focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, featuring father Joe Daum and FFF director Kelly Henderson.

  • Podcast, Onward: The Formed Families Forward podcast, Epi. 2 FASD

    Podcast, Episode 2


FASD Success Show podcast

The FASD Success Show is a podcast produced by Jeff Noble.

  • Podcast, FASD Success Show podcast


Four-year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Choline for Neurodevelopment in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Summary of research article by Wozniak et al. on impact of choline supplementation on young children with FASD.

  • Website, Four-year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Choline for Neurodevelopment in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder


FASD Forever organization

Founded by author, speaker and FASD caregiver Jeff Noble, FASD Forever offers workshops, books and other resources for families impacted by FASD.

  • Website, FASD Forever organization


Northern Post Adoption Regional Consortium

Funded by Va Department of Social Services, the Northern Post Adoption Regional Consortium offers case management, crisis supports, training, and other services for post-adoptive families. It is a partnership between The Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), enCircle, Children’s Home Society and NACAC to offer post adoption services and supports.

All families who have finalized adoptions of children ages birth through 18 years and reside in Virginia are eligible for services at no cost. This includes families that have adopted domestically, internationally and through foster care.

  • PDF, Northern Post Adoption Regional Consortium

    Consortium Flyer for families

  • PDF, Northern Post Adoption Regional Consortium

    Consortium Flyer for professionals

  • Website, Northern Post Adoption Regional Consortium

    Website