SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS: A SUMMARY OF EFFECTIVE PRACTICES

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong condition that significantly affects the individual’s learning, development, behavior, family, and quality of life. Diagnosing children with this condition and providing effective supports is challeng-ing for professionals because little intervention research has been performed with the population. This is frustrating for caregivers who often take an active role in their child’s life to ensure that needs are met. This article summarizes quantitative and qual-itative studies that have targeted learning and behavioral interventions that aim to support children with FASD and their families. Research suggests that practices accommodating children’s neurocognitive and neurobehavioral deficits are likely to produce positive outcomes. Interventions that include the family are also promising in their effectiveness. Extra attention needs to focus on early intervention for infants and toddlers and interventions that can promote the self-determination of adults with FASD. Additional directions for future research are provided along with policy and practice implications. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term for a group of conditions impacting individuals whose mothers consumed alcoho