Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - 97 edition

Streissguth, Ann :University of Washington - Settle

Ann Streissguth, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She received her master's degree in child development from the University of California at Berkeley and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Washington. Dr. Streissguth is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in behavioral teratology. She has 25 years experience working with individuals with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE), as well as with their families and communities.

Researchers at the University of Washington Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, which Dr. Streissguth directs, have investigated many types of prenatal influences on later development in offspring, including alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, aspirin, and acetaminophen. Prior to her position at the Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, Dr. Streissguth studied the impact of poverty, preschool experience, caregiving experiences, and the rubella virus on child development. In all, she has published more than 150 scientific papers, two books, and slide-teaching curriculum on alcohol and pregnancy.

Dr. Streissguth and her colleagues have been actively involved in research on preventing FAS/FAE since these conditions were identified. In 1978, she collaborated with Dr. Ruth Little in a 3-ear project (The Pregancy and Health Program) funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to develop methods to intervene in female alcohol abuse during pregnancy and to prevent FAS/FAE. More recently, Dr. Streissguth and colleagues developed and evaluated the impact of a model advocacy program (Seattle Birth to 3) for helping high-risk women who are abusing alcohol and drugs during pregnancy and not receiving prenatal care. At the conclusion of the 5-year research program funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), a local philanthropist provided funding to continue the program; then the governor of Washington State provided funds to develop a second site in another city. As of 1997, the Washington State legislature has funded the two sites for the biennium.

Dr. Streissguth has been principal investigator of the Pregnancy and Health Study, a longitudinal prospective study of the relationship between early experiences and child development, funded by NIAAA since 1974. She has completed a major research project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on secondary disabilities in individuals with FAS/FAE and associate risk and protective factors, which culminated in an international conference in Seattle in September 1996. Since 1983, Dr. Streissguth has worked with Native American communities and the Indian Health Service to provide FAS training workshops, screening clinics, reseaerch findings, and direct consultations to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. With her colleagues, she has also initiated a 5-year study of magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological functioning in people with FAS/FAE, funded by NIAAA.

Along with Dr. Paul Lemoine of France, Dr. Streissguth was co-recepient of the 1985 International Jellinek Memorial Award for Advancement of the Field of Alcohol Studies. In 1987, along with Dr. Ruth Little, she received the annual award for outstanding contribution from the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies. In 1992, the National Council on Alchoholism and Drug Dependence presented the Silver Key Aware to Dr. Streissguth on behalf of her ''outstanding contribution and research on FAS/FAE.'' In 1997, she received the Outstanding Public Service Award from the University of Washington for her efforts to help individuals with FAS/FAE and their families.

''There is a sense of hope that together we can make great strides in preventing this birth defect while also providing much needed resources for the children and adults who are born with FAS.''

--Family & Community Health

''Presents a comprehensive overview of the field that is aimed at professionals, families, and communities.''

--Child Development Abstracts & Bibliography

''It will quickly find its way onto home and library bookshelves.''

--Journal of Studies on Alcohol

Brookes Publishing Web Site, October, 2000

Section I: The Diseases of Fetal Alcohol

Overview of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Can Cause a Spectrum of Effects
Problems with Getting a Diagnosis
Incidence of FAS
Problems with Studying FAS Populations
Overview of Sections

Diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Documenting Exposure
The Diagnostic Process
Physical Findings in FAS
Age-Related Changes in FAS Features
Fetal Alcohol Effects and Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Measuring CNS Dysfunction

From Awareness to Public Policy

The Path to Clinical Recognition
The Path to Scientific Validation
Tracking the Long-Term Effects of FAS
The Path to an Effective Public Policy on Alcohol and Pregnancy

Section II: The Science of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcohol as a Teratogen

Understanding Teratology
Neurobehavioral Teratology of Alcohol

Alcohol's Impact on Children

Children of Alcoholic Mothers
How a Mother's Alcoholism Affects Her Children and Her Health
Children of Alcoholic Fathers and Families
Alcohol and Children When Mothers Drink Socially
Conclusions

Primary and Secondary Disabilities

Primary Disabilities Arise from Organic Brain Damage
Brain-Behavior Relationships that Contribute to Primary Disabilities
Measuring Primary Disabilities in Groups of Individuals with FAS/FAE
Measuring Secondary Disabilities in Groups of Individuals with FAS/FAE
Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Secondary Disabilities
Conclusions

Section III: A Life-Span Approach to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Seven Common Misconceptions About FAS/FAE
Problems, Concerns, and Recommendations
Identifying the Behavioral Phenotype of FAS/FAE
Focusing on the Individual
Understanding People with FAS/FAE Throughout the Life Span
Four Wishes

The Advocacy Model

What Is an Advocate?
Who Can Be an Advocate?
What Makes an Advocate Successful?
Preventing Secondary Disabilities Through Advocacy
Advocating for Advocates

Families Speak Out

Families Have Diverse Backgrounds
Families Illustrate Important Issues
Families Reveal Similar Needs
Conclusions

Section IV: Preparing People with FAS for Life in the Community

Problems Encountered by People with FAS/FAE

Recognizing and Accepting Disabilities
Planning Early for a Healthy Life
Building Personal Strengths at Home
How Society Can Help

Guidelines for Schools

An FAS/FAE Plan for School Districts
School-Parent Collaboration
FAS Overview for Classroom Teachers
Guidelines for Using the Advocacy Model with a Student with FAS/FAE at School
Summary

Guidelines for Human Services

Identifying and Serving Individuals with FAS/FAE with Community Services
Alcohol and Other Drug Treatments
Mental Health Treatment
Juvenile Justice and Corrections
Conclusions

Section V: Preventing Fetal Alcohol Damage

Education, Training, and Public Policy

Public Education
Professional Training
Public Policy
Conclusions

Effective Prevention Programs for High-Risk Mothers

Intervening in Alcohol Abuse During Pregnancy
Intervening After Delivery

Epilogue
Resource Appendix
Permissions
Index