Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Intervention for Parents with FASD

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Community Mental Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Step by Step program in which mentors work with parents affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on a one-to-one basis. Mentors help clients identify and work towards meeting their needs and achieving their goals. Data from 24 closed client files was collected and analyzed and as predicted, the program was effective in helping clients reduce their needs and achieve their goals. The client’s reason for leaving the program as well as whether or not they had a formal FASD diagnosis had an impact on their success in the program. Data collected on additional mental health issues, experience of abuse and addictions helped to characterize the sample of clients and correlations were found between client’s experience of abuse and their past and/or present addictions issues. Limitations of this study as well as future implications were also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abraham, V., & Hardy, C. (2006). Parenting needs of parents with FASD. Poster presented at UBC interprofessional continuing education late adolescents and adults with FASD conference, navigating the rapids: Doing what works in practice, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

  • Alati, R., Al Mamun, A., Williams, G. M., O’Callaghan, M., Najman, J. M., & Bor, W. (2006). In utero alcohol exposure and prediction of alcohol disorders in early adulthood: a birth cohort study. Archive of General Psychiatry, 63, 1009–1016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baer, J., Sampson, P. D., Barr, H., Connor, P. D., & Streissguth, A. P. (2003). A 21-year longitudinal analysis of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on young adult drinking. Archives of General Psychiatry, 60, 377–385.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barr, H. M., Bookstein, F. L., O’Malley, K. D., Connor, P. D., Huggins, J. E., & Streissguth, A. P. (2006). Binge drinking during pregnancy as a predictor of psychiatric disorders on the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV in young adult offspring. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163, 1061–1065.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Benjet, C., Azar, S. T., & Kuersten-Hogan, R. (2003). Evaluating the parental fitness of psychiatrically diagnosed individuals: Advocating a functional-contextual analysis of parenting. Journal of Family Psychology, 17, 238–251.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chudley, A. E., Conry, J., Cook, J. L., Loock, C., Rosales, T., & LeBlanc, N. (2005). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Canadian guidelines for diagnosis. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 172, 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, E., Lutke, J., Minnes, P., & Ouellette-Kuntz, H. (2004). Secondary disabilities among adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in British Columbia. Journal of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome International, 2, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connor, P. D., Sampson, P. D., Bookstein, F. L., Barr, H. M., & Streissguth, A. P. (2000). Direct and indirect effects of prenatal alcohol damage on executive function. Developmental Neuropsychology, 18, 331–354.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, T., Ernst, C., Streissguth, A., & Porter, J. (1997). An advocacy program for mother with FAS/FAE. In A. Streissguth & J. Kanter (Eds.), The challenge of fetal alcohol syndrome: Overcoming secondary disabilities (pp. 102–112). Seattle, WA, US: University of Washington Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, T., Huggins, J., Connor, P., Pedersen, J. Y., Whitney, N., & Streissguth, A. (2004). A pilot community intervention for young women with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders. Community Mental Health Journal, 40(6), 499–511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (2007). Helping parents with intellectual disabilities raise their children. American Psychological Association: PsyCRITIQUES, 52(14).

  • Kerns, K. A., Don, A., Mateer, C. A., & Streissguth, A. P. (1997). Cognitive deficits in nonretarded adults with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30, 685–693.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., & Ferronato, L. (2003a). Prevalence and outcomes for parents with disabilities and their children in an Australian court sample. Child Abuse and Neglect, 27, 235–251.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Llewellyn, G., McConnell, D., Honey, A., Mayes, R., & Russo, D. (2003b). Promoting health and home safety for children of parents with intellectual disability: A randomized controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 24, 405–431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Llewellyn, G., Mayes, R., & McConnell, D. (2008). Towards acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disability as parents. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21, 293–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholism (NIAAA). (1990). Seventh special report to the U.S congress on alcohol and health. Washington DC: U.S Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Keeffe, N., & O’Hara, J. (2008). Mental health needs of parents with intellectual disabilities. Current Opinion in Psychiatrty, 21, 463–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streissguth, A. P. (1997). Fetal alcohol syndrome: A guide for families and communities. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streissguth, A. P., Aase, J. M., Clarren, S. K., Randels, S. P., LaDue, R. A., & Smith, D. F. (1991). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in adolescents and adults. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 265, 1961–1967.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Streissguth, A. P., Barr, H. M., Kogan, J., & Bookstein, F. L. (1996). Understanding the Occurrence of Secondary Disabilities in Clients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects. Final Report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), August, 1996 (Tech. Rep. No. 96–06). Seattle, Washington: University of Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Streissguth, A. P., Bookstein, F. L., Barr, H. M., Sampson, P. D., O’Malley, K., & Young, J. K. (2004). Risk factors for adverse life outcomes in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 25(4), 228–238.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding for this project was provided by the Alberta Centre for Child, Family, and Community Research (ACCFCR).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carmen Rasmussen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Denys, K., Rasmussen, C. & Henneveld, D. The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Intervention for Parents with FASD. Community Ment Health J 47, 209–219 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9273-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9273-9

Keywords

Navigation