The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59169

Jacquelyn Bertrand, PhD¹, Jasjeet Sidhu, MD, MPH², and R. Louise Floyd, DSN, RN². (1) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., MS-F49, Atlanta, GA 30341, 7704883529, jbertrand@cdc.gov, (2) NCBDDD/Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Team, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS-F49, Atlanta, GA 30341

To date, information and strategies about interventions appropriate for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and their families has been gleaned from other disabilities, informal networks, or trial and error. Although informative to a limited degree, such treatments have been implemented without being evaluated systematically or scientifically. In 2001, CDC provided the first federal funding to develop systematic, specific, and scientifically evaluated interventions appropriate for children with FAS and their families. Study sites include University of California, Emory University, Children's Research Triangle, University of Washington, and University of Oklahoma. This presentation will outline the framework developed by a consortium of five research sites across the country and CDC to develop diagnostic assessments and interventions for children with FAS. These interventions are designed to improve the developmental outcomes of individuals with FAS, reduce secondary conditions, and improve the lives of families affected by FAS. Children ranging in age from 2 to 12 years are enrolled across study sites. Within this framework, children receive comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessments that guide referrals for standard care and treatments for all children (eg, speech therapy and special education). Children are then randomized into treatment (N=50 per site) and control groups (N=50 per site). Treatment groups receive interventions focused on one of the core vulnerabilities associated with FAS,including: Math skills, social communication, peer relations, foster care stability, compliance, and challenging behaviors. Control children continue with standard care in their community. All sites include specific instruction and training for parents and caregivers as part of the intervention process. Effectiveness will be assessed by group comparisons as well as pre- and post- intervention analyses. In addition to the intervention research portion of this project, preliminary information from a collaborative database (N=200-500 children) of neurodevelopmental characteristics of children with FAS obtained from baseline and post intervention assessments will be presented.

Learning Objectives:

Learning objectives: At the end of this session, the participations will be able to:
• identify the important components for assessing and intervening with children who have FAS;
• understanding the need for multidisciplinary approaches to developing treatment plans for children with FAS; and
• state the core vulnerabilities associated with FAS.

Keywords: Alcohol, Children With Special Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.