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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O’Keeffe, N., & O’Hara, J. (2008). Mental health needs of parents with intellectual disabilities. Current Opinion in Psychiatrty, 21, 463–468.
Streissguth, A. P. (1997). Fetal alcohol syndrome: A guide for families and communities. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
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.
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.
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.
Acknowledgments
Funding for this project was provided by the Alberta Centre for Child, Family, and Community Research (ACCFCR).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights 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
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9273-9