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FASD in Adult Populations: Clinical and Forensic Considerations

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Book cover Ethical and Legal Perspectives in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

Part of the book series: International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine ((LIME,volume 75))

Abstract

Afflicting millions of individuals across the United States, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a permanent disorder present from birth that results from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). FASD can consist of a wide range of physical (e.g., dysmorphia, sensory systems, musculoskeletal conditions), cognitive (e.g., intelligence and executive control), social (e.g., communication skills and empathy), and adaptive (e.g., independent living skills) symptoms. These impairments of FASD have important consequences across the lifespan including a predisposition to substance use issues and other co-occurring psychiatric disorders (e.g., behavioral, mood, and anxiety disorders). This complex interplay of co-occurring symptomatology complicates the identification and diagnosis of FASD, which often results in overlooked diagnosis and misdiagnosis of the disorder well into adulthood. To help familiarize clinical and forensic mental health professionals with this challenging, resource-intensive population, this chapter will provide an overview of FASD in adult populations. Red-flag indicators and common comorbid symptomatology as well as screening and intervention approaches will also be included. Further, the chapter will include a discussion of interviewing strategies and techniques that have the potential to improve screening, assessment, and treatment of the disorder, with an eye toward adult clinical and forensic mental health settings. This chapter will conclude with an examination of the current state of empirical research on FASD and identify the next steps for inquiry.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Jerrod Brown

  2. Pathways Counseling Center, Inc, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Jerrod Brown

  3. The American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS), St. Paul, MN, USA

    Jerrod Brown

  4. Hardy and Stephens Counseling Associates, 11070 183rd Circle NW, Suite C, Elk River, MN, 55330, USA

    Nikki Freeman

  5. Headway Emotional Health, Richfield, MN, USA

    Hal Pickett

  6. Education Program Spec 2, CEHD Community Integration, Inst on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, 4201A Room 111, 150 Pillsbury Dr SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Erin Watts

  7. Lighthouse Psychological Services, Fridley, MN, USA

    Aaron J. Trnka

Authors
  1. Jerrod Brown
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  2. Nikki Freeman
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  3. Hal Pickett
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  4. Erin Watts
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  5. Aaron J. Trnka
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Correspondence to Jerrod Brown .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Egon Jonsson

  2. Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Sterling Clarren

  3. The Supreme Court of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Ian Binnie

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Brown, J., Freeman, N., Pickett, H., Watts, E., Trnka, A.J. (2018). FASD in Adult Populations: Clinical and Forensic Considerations. In: Jonsson, E., Clarren, S., Binnie, I. (eds) Ethical and Legal Perspectives in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine, vol 75. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71755-5_10

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