Written by Emma Williams, member of the 2025 CanFASD Trainee Program.
Hi there, my name is Emma Williams. I’m currently working as a Research Assistant at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’d like to take this opportunity to share the ongoing FASD research I am doing with Dr. Prabhjot Bedi, 4th year pediatric resident, also working with Dr. Hanlon-Dearman.
The way in which we approach working with individuals with FASD is constantly evolving. This includes in the language we use, the therapies we try, and the priorities we have. Over the past 10 years, we have shifted our approach to FASD to be person-oriented and strengths-based. As a result, the way primary care providers approach working with children and youth with FASD has also changed. The last major review of the current guidance for primary care providers working with individuals with FASD spaces was published 10 years ago – so it’s a perfect time to review them again. Keeping up to date, taking a moment to learn from others, and continuing to share this information helps build stronger support systems.
Current study
The current study is led by Dr. Prabhjot Bedi. It is a systematic review of academic papers published in the last 10 years that focus on the wellbeing and support of children and youth who have been diagnosed with FASD. A systematic review is a type of literature review that aims to answer a specific question. This paper asks ‘What are the current needs and strengths of children and youth with FASD, and how are we addressing and supporting them?’.
To answer this, we have collected hundreds of scientific articles from over the last 10 years. These have gone through multiple rounds of screening so we can focus on those most relevant to our question. Some of the topics we are interested in reviewing include:
- Strengths
- Caregiver supports
- Self-regulation, executive function, and sleep
- Transitioning to adulthood
- Mental health, ADHD, and other co-occurring conditions
- Pharmacology/medication
- Counselling in pregnancy and reproductive
By collecting, screening, and reviewing in-depth all the recent literature surrounding these topics, we are able to put forward an up to date, evidence-based set of recommendations and guidance. These can help primary care providers work constructively and thoughtfully with children and youth with FASD.
Looking forward
Although we are still making our way through reviewing articles, the conversation around FASD over the last 10 years seems to be focused around a few ideas:
- FASD is complex – there is not one ‘profile’ for any individual. The way we plan care around individuals with FASD should reflect that.
- Care for and work with individuals with FASD doesn’t start and stop at the doctor’s office – it is at home, at school, and in our communities that responsible education and strengths-based support are needed.
- There are two major challenges that stand in the way of optimizing the care of children and youth with FASD:
- A need for more research specifically surrounding long-term support of children and youth diagnosed with FASD
- Providing widespread and informed integration of recommendations and programming
These ideas, generally, are pretty clear. The challenge comes from trying to organize these ideas coherently to educate providers, voice needs, display strengths, and demonstrate all of this with evidence. We are excited to share the results of this review soon.
Emma Williams is a Research Assistant at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under developmental pediatrician and CanFASD Diagnostic Lead Dr. Ana Hanlon-Dearman. She received a Bachelor’s of Science from Dalhousie University in 2024, majoring in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience. Her current research focuses on research equity, FASD, and autism spectrum disorder, both in diagnosis and early childhood outcomes.