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Developing Intervention Strategies for Children

Intervening with Children and/or Adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in facial abnormalities, growth problems, and developmental and behavioral problems, as well as other birth defects. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) can have serious lifelong disabilities. CDC-sponsored studies find that children with FAS/ARND are at very high risk for developing secondary conditions such as difficulties in school, trouble with the law, substance abuse problems, and mental health problems. Currently, interventions for children with FAS/ARND are often non-specific, unsystematic, and/or lack scientific evaluation or validation.

Grantees are working together with CDC, through a collaborative effort, to identify, develop, and evaluate effective strategies for intervening with children with FAS/ARND and their families. Through these interventions, researchers are trying to help children with FAS/ARND develop to their full potential, prevent secondary conditions, and provide education and support to caregivers and families.

Funded Projects:

Marcus Institute—Atlanta, Georgia
This intervention focuses on Behavioral Regulation Training (BRT), as a readiness-for-learning strategy, and math skills for improving cognition. BRT teaches parents ways to modify the child’s environment to reduce excess stimulation, use appropriate social reinforcement, and communicate choices rather than commands. All children in the study population diagnosed with FAS or ARND and their families participate in the BRT and are taught self-awareness, decision-making, and verbalization of situations and actions. In addition, intervention participants receive individualized math skills training, a common area of significant disability for children with FAS/ARND. The intervention is designed for children aged 3 through 9 years.

University of Washington—Seattle, Washington
The purpose of this project is to explore two intervention models for school-age children. One consists of an individualized, supportive, behavioral consultation intervention for school-age children (aged 5 through 11 years) with FAS or ARND. Consultation includes FAS education, emotional/practical support, teaching child management strategies specific to children with FAS/ ARND, advocacy assistance, and school consultation. The second intervention is a school-based social communication intervention provided directly to children with FAS/ARND. This intervention targets critical deficits in social communication and peer relations and is designed to teach children (aged 8 through 12 years) how to use an interactive checklist to guide them through resolution of peer conflicts. An intervention and a control group will be compared using pre- and post-test measures, with post-tests occurring at the conclusion of the intervention and at a 9 month follow-up.

University of Oklahoma Health Services Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
This project uses Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to intervene with parents and their children (aged 2 through 7 years) who have been diagnosed with FAS or ARND. The treatment group receives 90-minute group sessions once a week for 14 weeks. Behavioral specialists conduct group sessions with parents to teach them appropriate and effective behaviors and interaction techniques. Parent-child interactions are observed and individualized guidance is provided. The control group receives standard referrals and services, along with participation in a parent support group. Pre- and post-test comparisons will be made between groups at the conclusion of the intervention and at 6,12, and 18 month follow-ups.

University of California—Los Angeles, California
This project focuses on parent-assisted social skills training, with particular attention to development of best friend relationships. Children (aged 6 through 8 years) receiving the intervention participate in didactic training sessions, behavior rehearsal, and coaching to reduce maladaptive behaviors and promote pro-social interaction skills. Simultaneously, parents are taught about core deficits of FAS and ARND and given the companion information to their children’s intervention. A control group receives standard community care and both groups of participants are re-evaluated at 4 months post-intervention. 

Children’s Research Triangle—Chicago, Illinois
This intervention proposes to develop a program of neurocognitive habilitation within a systematic intervention strategy for children with prenatal alcohol exposure. The target population is children (aged 6 through 12 years) diagnosed with FAS or ARND, currently in the care of the Illinois welfare system. Children and their families are randomized into two groups. Children and families participating in the treatment group receive 12 weeks of neurocognitive habilitation and psychotherapy services along with family education and case management services. Children and families participating in the control group will receive the current standard of care through existing community and school-based agencies. Pre- and post- measures will be analyzed for each group and post-test follow-up will occur at 12 and 24 months.

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This page was last updated Thursday, August 05, 2004

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National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living.  Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.