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Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can experience multiple layers of adversity that increase vulnerability to justice involvement. Given the systemic overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the justice system, community-based interventions are important for supporting Indigenous individuals with FASD who are justice-involved, yet little is known about individual experiences with such interventions. In this community-based study, we conducted interviews with 12 adults in an FASD-informed Indigenous justice program, revealing stories of coping, growth, and hope. Findings suggest that blending FASD assessment with restorative justice approaches can contribute to physical, human, family/social, and community/cultural resources that support wellbeing. We describe tangible strengths and processes to leverage in practice and policy for supporting justice-involved individuals with FASD across settings and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Consideration of sex‐ and gender‐related factors is critical for understanding and supporting health and wellbeing. Although both sex and gender influence people with developmental disabilities, there is relatively little research on these factors and their influences among individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a complex neurodevelopmental disability impacting an estimated 4%–5% of the population. Understanding sex‐ and gender‐related differences in FASD is needed to facilitate evidence‐informed assessment, treatment planning, and advocacy. To begin unpacking these factors, we investigated sex‐based differences in clinical presentation and experiences among individuals assessed for FASD across the lifespan. Methods: We analyzed 2574 clinical records from 29 FASD diagnostic centers in Canada. Participants ranged in age from 1 to 61 years (mean 15.2 years), and more than half (58.3%) were male at birth. Study variables included participant demographics, physical indicators of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), neurodevelopmental impairment, FASD diagnosis, co‐occurring physical and mental health diagnoses, and environmental adversity. Results: There were no significant differences between males and females with respect to FASD diagnostic outcome or physical indicators of PAE. However, males experienced significantly more neurodevelopmental impairment. Females experienced higher rates of endocrine problems, anxiety, and depressive/mood disorders, whereas males had higher rates of attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder. Adversity also differed by sex, with females experiencing higher rates of trauma and legal problems with victimization/custody, and males having more difficulties with school and offending/incarceration. Sex‐based differences were most apparent in adolescents (13–17 years) and adults (≥25 years). Conclusions: Individuals with PAE/FASD experience notable sex‐related differences in clinical presentation and experiences across the lifespan. Findings from this study should help to guide researchers, service providers, and policy makers to improve FASD screening, diagnosis, and intervention and better address the needs of individuals with PAE/FASD of all genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed test is aimed to help in properly diagnosing children on the ASD spectrum and designing appropriate treatment plans for them. Due to the fact that social and communication skills are one of the major distinctive characteristics of ASD (National Research Council, 2001, DSM-5, 2013), this research study attempts to provide a test in Arabic language, the ASEST test, for the assessment of these skills. Adequate and accurate assessment of social and communication skills is considered to be one of the corner stone's in the assessment and diagnosis of ASD. The ASEST is designed to assess the social and communication skills of children with ASD in Saudi children between the ages of 6 and 11:11 years. It is critical to develop standardized tests in Arabic language that are linguistically and culturally appropriate. Due to the fact that social and communication skills are one of the major distinctive characteristics of ASD (National Research Council, 2001, DSM-5, 2013), this research attempts to provide a test in Arabic language for the assessment of these skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In offering a commentary upon the IDA definition, we address its main components in turn. While each is technically accurate, we argue that, when taken together, the definition, or more accurately, the use to which it is often put, becomes problematic. We outline different current conceptions of dyslexia and conclude that the operationalisation of the definition for diagnostic purposes often results in scientifically questionable diagnoses and inadvertently leads to significant educational inequity. We propose a simpler definition that describes the primary difficulty, avoids reference to causal explanation, unexpectedness, and secondary outcomes, and redirects practitioner and policymaker focus to the importance of addressing and meeting the needs of all struggling readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience a range of neurodevelopmental challenges, often compounded by social and environmental adversity. One of the most concerning outcomes that can be associated with FASD is involvement in the justice system, where individuals with FASD are vastly over-represented. Individuals with FASD who are both justice-involved and Indigenous experience added layers of marginalization. In this community-based study, we explored the needs of 16 adults who participated in an FASD-informed restorative justice program in an Indigenous community in Alberta, Canada. Clinical record reviews and client interviews were used to gather information. Diverse needs were identified, including pervasive neurodevelopmental difficulties, notable physical and mental health challenges, complex experiences of psychosocial trauma, and varied criminogenic needs. This study increases our understanding of the unique and complex biopsychosocial and criminogenic needs of Indigenous justice-involved adults with FASD. Such an understanding is a first step in developing tailored interventions for individuals with FASD and has important practice and policy implications for supporting positive outcomes. For Indigenous individuals with FASD, intervention efforts should be integrated within the community context to promote collective healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disabilities in North America. Stemming from the brain- and body-based impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure, individuals with FASD experience a range of challenges with physical, cognitive, behavioural, and social-emotional functioning. Most individuals with FASD require ongoing assistance to support day-today living and protect against negative life outcomes. Service needs for individuals with FASD often span across multiple areas of functioning, necessitating a range of supports from various disciplines and sectors. The complexity of needs experienced by individuals with FASD underscores the importance of integrated services, however, there is currently a lack of research on integrated service delivery approaches in the FASD population. The Alberta FASD Service Network model is a unique integrated FASD service delivery approach established in 2007 which facilitates the delivery of coordinated FASD supports and programs across Alberta. The aim of the current study was to review the evidence pertaining to this model. We identified 45 relevant documents, the findings of which were synthesized to better understand the aims and scope, impacts, and challenges of the Alberta FASD Service Network model and inform future work in FASD research, practice, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]