FETAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon course material developed and deployed by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The course material was specifically developed for the training of clinicians who work with clients who may use or abuse alcohol. The course material can be found on the NIAAAs website at the following link: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Social/Module10KFetaExposure/Module10K.html The health, developmental, and behavioral consequences of fetal alcohol exposure are enduring and can be pervasive, often presenting lifelong challenges to affected individuals. This course is designed to inform practitioners about the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy and specify mechanisms for prevention and intervention to address the difficulties children and families encounter following fetal alcohol exposure. Although fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASDs) are a lesser-known group of childhood disorders, knowledge about them is critical for clinicians, given that many clients may have alcohol use disorders. These clients might be unaware that drinking alcohol when pregnant might cause harm to their offspring, or may be underestimating the magnitude of the potential negative effects. This course on fetal alcohol exposure is practical for social workers, addiction professionals, professional counselors, psychologists, and chemical dependency counselors who practice and need continuing education. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of how the family is impacted by alcohol use. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical course credits and are interested in learning more about a specific population and alcohol use disorders. Authors: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding fetal alcohol exposure. Specifically, a professional will: Recognize the teratogenic nature of alcohol identify features and behavioral traits often associated with FASD Identify effective interventions for families at risk or experiencing the effects of fetal alcohol exposure. Citation: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Module 10K Fetal Alcohol Exposure. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Social/Module10KFetaExposure/Module10K.html