Intervention Strategies

CDC-sponsored studies find that children with FASDs are at very high risk for developing secondary conditions such as difficulties in school, trouble with the law, substance abuse problems, and mental health problems. Currently, most interventions for children with FASDs are often non-specific, unsystematic, and/or lack scientific evaluation or validation.

Grantees have worked together with CDC, through a collaborative effort, to identify, develop, and evaluate effective strategies for intervening with children with FASDs and their families. Through these interventions, researchers are trying to help children with FASDs develop to their full potential, prevent secondary conditions, and provide education and support to caregivers and families. These projects are now being implemented in community-based settings.

 

Funded Projects

University of California—Los Angeles, California   
Friendship training: Many children with FASDs have difficulty making friends, keeping friends, and engaging in social interaction with others.  This type of training teaches a variety of skills, including how to interact with friends, how to enter a group of children already playing with each other, help with in-home play dates, and ways to avoid conflict and use negotiation skills.  A research study called “Project Bruin Buddies” evaluated this type of training and found that it could significantly improve children’s social skills and decrease problem behaviors.

Marcus Autism Center—Atlanta, Georgia
Specialized math tutoring: Special teaching methods and materials can help improve math knowledge and skills in children with FASDs.  A research study called “math interactive learning experience (MILE)” evaluated this type of training and found that it can greatly improve the person’s math skills.

Children’s Research Triangle—Chicago, Illinois
Executive functioning training: This type of training teaches behavioral awareness, self-control and improves executive functioning skills, such as memory, cause and effect, reasoning, planning, and problem solving.  A research study evaluated this type of training and found that children had significant improvement in effective functioning skills.

University of Oklahoma Health Services Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Parent-child interaction therapy: This type of therapy is intended to improve parent-child relationships, create a positive discipline program, and reduce behavior problems in children with FASDs.  Parents learn new skills from a coach.  A research study found significant overall improvement in parent distress and fewer child behavior problems.

University of Washington—Seattle, Washington
Children with FASDs can have a variety of behavior and learning problems which can lead to high levels of stress for the children’s parents. This training is designed to improve caregiver comfort, meet family needs, and reduce child problem behaviors.  A research study called “Families Moving Forward” found that this model can have a positive effect on parenting and can reduce child disruptive behaviors.

For more information, visit our Treatments web page »

Related Articles

These scientific articles are from 2005 to present.

Interventions for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs): Overview of Findings for Five Innovative Research Projects
Research in Developmental Disabilities; Sep-Oct 2009; 30(5):986-1006
Bertrand J on behalf of the Interventions for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Research Consortium
[Read summary]

Socio-Cognitive Habilitation Using the Math Interactive Learning Experience Program for Alcohol-Affected Children
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research; August 2007; 31(8):1425-1434
Kable JA, Coles CD, Taddeo E.
[Read summary]

Stimulants, Neuroleptics, and Children's Friendship Training for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology; 2006;16(6):777-789
Frankel F, Paley B, Marquardt R, O'Connor M..
[Read summary]

A Controlled Social Skills Training for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology; 2006; 74(4):639-648
O’Connor MJ, Frankel F, Paley B, Schonfeld AM, Carpenter E, Laugeson EA, Marquardt R. [Read summary]

The Relationship of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the Postnatal Environment to Child Depressing Symptoms
Journal of Pediatric Psychology; 2006; 31(1):50-64
O’Connor MJ, Paley B.
[Read summary]

Executive Functioning Predicts Social Skills Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Child Neuropsychology; 2006;12(6):439-452
Schonfeld AM, Paley B, Frankel F, O’Connor MJ.
[Read summary]

Predictors of Stress in Parents of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics; 2006; 27(5):396-404
Paley B, O'Connor MJ, Frankel F, Marquardt R.
[Read summary]

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, Child Externalizing Behavior, and Maternal Stress
Parenting Science and Practice; 2005; 3(1):29-56
Paley B, O’Connor MJ, Kogan N, Findlay R.