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Article Summary #10: Recent advances in FASD for mental health professionals

This Article Summary is part of our CanFASD Connect Top Articles Summary Series. Over the next several months, we will be bringing you summaries of all the recent research papers from our list of the Top FASD Articles of 2019. This is an overview of a research article called Recent advances in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder for mental health professionals.

Background:

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) refers to the array of disorders that may occur from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Individuals with FASD are likely to experience comorbid mental health disorders. Approximately 22-28% of a mental health professional’s patients may be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with PAE. Therefore, adequate training, knowledge, and support are required for mental health professionals in order to make an informed response and to support their clients.

Despite a need for FASD-informed diagnosis and intervention within the mental health system, there are currently no guidelines available to support mental health professionals in identifying PAE in their patient populations. The authors of this review highlight recent evidence in FASD within the mental health field to facilitate positive outcomes for people with FASD. 

Main Findings:
Recommendations:
Take-home message:
Individuals with FASD or PAE experience high rates of comorbid mental health issues, but there are currently no standard guidelines to help mental health professionals identify and support individuals with FASD in their practice. Increasing knowledge of FASD amongst mental health professionals is important to support individuals with FASD in mental health settings. 


Authors: Mansfield Mela, Kelly D. Coons-Harding, and Tara Anderson
Journal: Current Opinion in Psychiatry
Date: July 2019
Read the full article (not available open access)

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