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Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a common form of developmental disability but may be poorly understood by professionals working with people with FASD. The aim of the research is to understand the FASD knowledge, attitudes, awareness, and practices among people employed by the education sector in Aotearoa New Zealand and identify gaps in knowledge. Methods: We conducted an online survey of New Zealand Education professionals. The survey focused on the following areas: Awareness of FASD; Knowledge and beliefs about FASD; Impact of FASD on professional practice; and Training needs. Results: Of the 419 participants, most had some knowledge of FASD and its effects on learning; however, there are still gaps that need to be addressed so educators can provide support to individuals living with FASD. Conclusion: There is a need to improve workforce capacity and develop guidelines that address the needs of front-of-line staff working with children with FASD in education settings.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is under-researched in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). There is a pressing need to establish a research agenda that is aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and relevant to both stakeholders and end-users, to improve the outcomes and support for people affected by FASD. We conducted hui and interviews to identify consensus on research priorities among key stakeholders for FASD in NZ, including whānau and caregivers, health care workers, educators, academics and clinicians. The hui focused on three main topics: prevention; assessment and diagnosis; and intervention. Hui transcripts were analysed to identify priorities. Once the research questions or priorities were identified we sent a follow-up survey to participants asking them to rate each research question on their importance and relevance. Four hui and ten interviews (n = 52) were conducted across the North Island between April and July 2021. We identified 20 research priorities from the hui and interviews. Based on participant feedback (n = 18), the most important and relevant priority was: 'What can we do to encourage success for people with FASD throughout their lives?'. The priorities identified through the workshops and hui will be valuable in guiding future research and policies relating to FASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by heightened awareness of environmental sustainability, personal health, and animal welfare, there has been a rapid surge in adoption of plant-based diets (PBDs) by global consumers. Despite the important implications of potential links between PBDs and chemosensory (e.g., olfactory and gustatory) perception, the empirical evidence has yet to be comprehensively reviewed. This systematic review aims to synthesise existing data comparing olfactory and gustatory perceptions among individuals following plant-based (including vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian) and omnivorous diets. Seven databases produced 1038 publications for screening against the pre-registered criteria. Eleven studies were included in this review, with three focusing on olfaction and eight on gustation. Of these, three gustatory studies provided sufficient data for meta-analysis, revealing little difference between plant-based and omnivore dieters on an overall level. The PBD group exhibited a significantly lower threshold (i.e., higher sensitivity) to sweetness compared to the omnivore group (ES = −0.336, 95% CI between −0.630 and −0.042, p < 0.05). Additionally, olfactory studies indicated that PBD followers perceived meat-related odours to be less pleasant compared to omnivores. Overall, this review points to a sensory–diet relationship, highlighting the potential role of sensory perception in sustainable plant-based dietary behaviours. The findings also encourage food manufacturers to consider potential chemosensory alterations among plant-based consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pairing discriminative stimuli with unique reinforcers provides an additional cue to correct responding. In the current study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the differential outcomes procedure in teaching novel tacts and facilitating transfer of tacts to novel discriminative stimuli. Four children diagnosed with developmental or intellectual disability were taught a unique pair of related tacts both under a differential outcomes condition and under a nondifferential outcomes condition where the reinforcers were uncorrelated with the sample stimuli. In the former, the different outcomes were two forms of the same reinforcer. Three out of four participants met the mastery criterion sooner under the differential outcomes condition. Two participants also generalized to novel stimuli under the differential outcomes condition. When we tested for the inclusion of the reinforcers in the stimulus class, three participants demonstrated the acquisition of emergent stimulus-outcomes and response-outcomes relations. The study provides support for the use of the differential outcomes procedure as a cost-effective means of enhancing the acquisition of discriminated responses in an applied setting. Keywords Differential outcomes effect * Conditional discrimination * Tact training * Translational research, Under a differential outcomes procedure (DOP) stimulus-specific reinforcers are used during the concurrent acquisition of several discriminated responses. Researchers have found that when reinforcers for correct responding are specific to [...]

Aim: To explore the lived experiences of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), their caregivers, and professionals working with individuals with FASD. Method: We conducted a scoping review using qualitative methods to explore what it is like to live with FASD from the perspective of those living with FASD, their caregivers, and stakeholders experienced in working with individuals with FASD. We searched electronic databases and grey literature for research published between 2005 and 2022. Results: The 47 studies included in this scoping review show that FASD affects people's lives on a daily basis. Individuals with FASD are aware of their disability and its effects. Caregivers face daily challenges raising children with FASD and are often left unsupported by professionals. Professionals are unprepared and frustrated when supporting someone with FASD. Interpretation: FASD affects individuals, caregivers, and families on a daily basis; and they require improved support and funding. What this paper adds: Professionals are overwhelmed and frustrated because of a lack of training and organizational support with regard to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).Extends on previous reviews with the inclusion of grey literature and professionals.FASD is a highly stigmatized disorder that affects individuals with FASD, and their caregivers and families, on a daily basis.Research is needed exploring the experiences of adults living with FASD and their siblings.There is a lack of research involving indigenous populations and their experience with FASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine the relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and children's behavioural and emotional development in a large generalizable sample of women and their children in Aotearoa New Zealand. Methods Using data from the Growing Up in New Zealand longitudinal cohort, we investigated the relationship between maternal PAE and behavioural and emotional development in 8-year-old children. We explored secondary outcomes including measures of language, executive function, academic achievement, and adaptive behaviour. Results We found no significant differences in the measures of behavioural and emotional development in children 8 years old based on alcohol consumption. No significant differences in behavioural and emotional development were found based on amount of PAE and when PAE occurred, despite controlling for a range of potential confounding factors, such as neighbourhood deprivation and maternal health measures. PAE was associated with significantly higher scores for parent-rated oral language indicating better oral language. In Māori mothers, PAE was significantly associated with an increased risk of higher scores on two of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales. Conclusions We did not find an association between PAE and behavioural and emotional development in children aged 8 years. PAE and behavioural and emotional development are difficult to measure accurately, and the moderating variables between them are complex. Future analyses will require larger cohorts of mothers and their children using precise measures of PAE and outcomes to enable more precise estimates of association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a common developmental disability that requires lifelong and ongoing support but is often difficult to find due to the lack of trained professionals, funding, and support available. Technology could provide cost-effective, accessible, and effective support to those living with FASD and their caregivers. Objective: In this review, we aimed to explore the use of technology available for supporting people living with FASD and their caregivers. Methods: We conducted a scoping review to identify studies that included technology for people with FASD or their caregivers; focused on FASD; used an empirical study design; were published since 2005; and used technology for assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, or support for people with FASD. We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, APA PsycINFO, ACM Digital Library, JMIR Publications journals, the Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, IEEE, study references, and gray literature to find studies. Searches were conducted in November 2022 and updated in January 2024. Two reviewers (CZC and HW) independently completed study selection and data extraction. Results: In total, 17 studies exploring technology available for people with FASD showed that technology could be effective at teaching skills, supporting caregivers, and helping people with FASD develop skills. Conclusions: Technology could provide support for people affected by FASD; however, currently there is limited technology available, and the potential benefits are largely unexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]