Community Services

Australian and International Resources

It is very likely that a high percentage of children and adults with FASD, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, will be clients of Community Service Providers. Adults and young people living with FASD are likely to experience mental illness (approximately 92%) and have an above-average risk of homelessness, unemployment, substance use problems and exposure to violence, maltreatment and trauma. In order to provide appropriate support to these clients, service providers must be FASD-informed. This means recognizing that to improve outcomes and program success it is the system, program and/or service providers who need to make modifications, rather than the person living with FASD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53hUKaVfnnc

Australian Resources

What Health Professionals can do

FASD Language Guide – This guide is intended to suggest language that can be used in conversations, presentations and reports about FASD in Australia.

Supporting children living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Practice Principles

The Role of the Occupational Therapist (OT) in Diagnosis, Intervention and Education about the Impact of FASD on Children and Young People

A webinar for OTs explaining effective techniques to use when working with children with FASD. This webinar also provides valuable insight for other health professionals. 

Parent Voices

A panel of parents and carers with lived experience of FASD shared their experiences at the 2nd Australiasian FASD Conference in 2018. They have some important messages for health professionals. Click the video on the right to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTwHucIGJ9A

Parent Panel: Voices of parents and carers for health professionals – How can we help each other?

International Resources

Becoming FASD Informed: Strengthening Practice and Programs Working with Women with FASD

Understanding FASD and its Role in Firesetting Behaviors: An Introduction to a Complex Topic

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A disability in need of social work education, knowledge and practice

Sensory processing and sleep challenges in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (scroll down to p. 26)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJYcCJZf63A

Webinar: The role of the social worker in the prevention, identification and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders