The Blog

About this event:

Research on Adolescents and Adults: If Not Now, When?

Although there have been thousands of published articles in FASD in general, there has been limited research specifically on adolescents and adults with FASD or on individuals across the lifespan. As those individuals diagnosed with FASD continue to age, the “need to know” across a broad spectrum of areas is becoming critically important for identifying clinically relevant research questions and directions. This is especially true for questions which answers have the potential to prevent the long-lasting effects of fetal alcohol exposure on cognition, behaviour, physical and mental health, addiction, immune function, and metabolism, and to improve quality of life.

Arising from the work of previous conferences and experience-based practices, there is a clear need to examine relevant global research (especially in areas that are new and emerging in animal models and both basic and clinical science), literature, programs and policies and the ethics surrounding them with implications for the future. What do the highlights of existing or emerging research tell us? Are the results transferable from country to country and/or from laboratory to real life? Are there clinical implications of results from any of these areas of which we should be aware? What are the changes in our thinking, practice and directions that will be required to improve outcomes? What are the ethical issues and implications for the future?

This interactive 2016 conference will provide an opportunity to be at the forefront of addressing these issues. We will leverage the experience of the diverse group of professionals, researchers, students, families and individuals with FASD who attend to stimulate the discussion of research, evidence for practice, models, and ideas to expand our knowledge of how we can sustain and enhance the lives of those with FASD.

Goals and Objectives:

• Identify, explore and examine existing, new and emerging research and the implications for those with FASD, families and caregivers, systems and services
• Connect the identified needs of community workers, healthcare providers, and families with the research community
• Discuss emerging research findings and how they might better assist ethical policy and decision making and the development of integrated and collaborative approaches across systems
• Examine practice-based evidence, projects and programs to understand the potential connections to research and potential longitudinal studies
• Engage in knowledge exchange and dialogue through sessions, networking and the direct experience of those with FASD