Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Social Worker's Guide for Prevention and Intervention

ABSTRACT

Alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to a variety of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems, collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). There are approximately 40,000 infants born each year in the United States affected by FASD. Despite warnings on the dangers of drinking while pregnant and the existence of effective screening tools, many women at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy fail to be identified. The authors suggest that social workers are uniquely qualified to assist in efforts to screen and intervene with this population. Screening tools and additional resources that may prove beneficial for social workers practicing in health care settings with childbearing aged and/or pregnant women, as well as families impacted by FASD, are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• FASD
• prenatal alcohol use
• alcohol
• pregnancy
• social work
• alcohol screening tools