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Objectives: This study compares the behavioral profile of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) who were diagnosed using the Canadian Guidelines with children with prenatal alcohol exposure who did not meet criteria for a FASD diagnosis., Methods and Procedures: To accomplish this, we used caregiver and teacher questionnaires evaluating different aspects of behavior. Investigated were 170 children, 109 who received a diagnosis of FASD (Diagnosed Group) and 61 who did not (Non-Diagnosed Group). On the caregiver report, children in the Diagnosed Group had more internalizing and externalizing problems on the CBCL, more executive function difficulties on the BRIEF and more attention problems on the Conner's Rating Scale, compared to the Non-Diagnosed Group. On teacher report, children in the Diagnosed Group had more internalizing and externalizing problems on the TRF and more attention problems on the Conner's Rating Scale, compared to the Non-Diagnosed Group. For both informants, more children in the Diagnosed group had scores in the clinically elevated range., Conclusion: Overall, the present results identify key caregiver- and teacher-rated profiles of children with FASD diagnoses. These profiles will aid in better understanding, diagnosing and providing focused treatment approaches for children with FASD.

Objective: Children with FASD display a heterogeneous profile and may have deficits in physical, behavioural, emotional, and social functioning, as the result of prenatal alcohol exposure. The major objective of the current study was to identify if a specific pattern of neuropsychological functioning exists among children prenatally exposed to alcohol who received a diagnosis, versus exposed children who did not. We compared groups on domains of intellectual functioning, memory, attention, executive functioning, motor functioning, language/communication and achievement., Methods: One hundred and seventy children who were seen in the clinic between 2005 and 2009 were included in this study. Out of the total 170 children seen, 109 received an FASD diagnosis., Results: We identified a specific neuropsychological profile that typifies children diagnosed with an FASD versus those exposed prenatally to alcohol, who did not receive a diagnosis. Diagnosed children displayed a neuropsychological profile characterized by weaknesses in the areas of verbal reasoning, memory, overall language functioning, math reasoning and calculation. Groups did not differ on measures of attention or executive functioning., Conclusion: The information gained from these analyses, are essential for informing best practices for diagnosis and treatment.

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy may result in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions that are associated with significant neurodevelopmental impairments. Communicating an FASD diagnosis to a child is a complex and difficult task that requires a great deal of care, particularly due to the sensitive nature of the etiology of these disorders. To the best of our knowledge, there are no formal guidelines or published materials that outline the ethical considerations specifically associated with disclosing an FASD diagnosis to a child. This paper discusses a number of ethical principles and situational factors that should be considered when communicating an FASD diagnosis, as well as some of the potential risks and benefits associated with disclosure. We also provide recommendations to assist clinicians in communicating the diagnosis in a manner that increases understanding and minimizes harm to the child. Future recommendations include the development of formalized guidelines in order to aid clinicians in carrying out this sensitive task.

Background: Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) show impairments in social functioning. However, the factors underlying these impairments are poorly understood. Recent evidence has shown that social problem solving is a critical component of effective social functioning., Objectives: The present study sought to examine social information processing as one potential factor contributing to social skills and behavior impairments observed in children with FASD., Methods: Forty-three children, 20 with FASD (mean age 12.6 years) and 23 typically developing controls (TDC; mean age 12.5 years) were studied. Social information processing was investigated using the Children's Interpersonal Problem Solving task (ChIPS; Shure and Spivack, 1985), which assesses problem solving in response to social dilemmas., Results: Children with FASD produced fewer relevant responses than TDC and their responses belonged to a fewer number of categories., Conclusion: Children with FASD show reduced ability in generating solutions for social dilemmas. By understanding this weakness, which may partially explain the social skill deficiencies in FASD, targeted therapies may be designed to improve social functioning following prenatal alcohol exposure.

Background: Published data and Canadian population reports suggest that approximately 1% of students in Toronto may have learning problems related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). It is therefore imperative to understand how the needs of affected students are being met by various practitioners in their school environment. To date no comprehensive follow-up studies on FASD-affected children, families and educators in Toronto public schools are available. Documentation of school experiences associated with FASDs is needed to aid in developing appropriate and efficient intervention models for FASDs., Objectives: Identify and document needs as related to school capacities and education practitioner capabilities with respect to their abilities to support children diagnosed with FASDs., Methods: A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was utilized for this exploratory pilot study. Twelve practitioners from various disciplines, all of whom work for Toronto public schools participated., Results: Participants represented approximately 3500 students enrolled amongst their schools and classrooms. Only one respondent reported having worked with a child diagnosed with an FASD during their career. Education practitioners commonly report a lack of knowledge of FASDs and how to appropriately plan for affected children., Conclusions: Practitioners need additional supports in order to address FASDs in their schools. As this is the first pilot study on FASDs in the Ontario school system, further study is warranted.

Objective: To identify whether a child's behavior phenotype can be predicted by parental psychopathology and/or prenatal maternal alcohol dependency by using the Child Behavior List (CBCL) as a screening tool., Methods: A retrospective cohort of four non-exclusive groups of children (aged 8-15 years) was studied: (i) children exposed to alcohol in utero (n = 25); (ii) children not exposed to alcohol in utero (n = 46); (iii) children exposed to parental psychopathology (n = 37); (iv) children not exposed to parental psychopathology (n = 34). To distinguish between the effects of alcohol and parental psychopathology, the children were further subdivided into groups with alcohol exposure in utero and parental psychopathology (n = 23), and psychopathology without alchohol exposure (n = 14). Each child was assessed with the CBCL. Subscale scores and selected subscale items were compared between the groups using t-tests and regression analysis., Results: Children exposed to alcohol in utero scored significantly lower than unexposed children on school competency (p = 0.015). They were more likely to attend special classes (p = 0.048), repeat a grade (p = 0.011), and display more disobedience (p = 0.039) and vandalism (p = 0.033). For special classes and disobedience at school, gender proved to be a significant predictor, while maternal alcohol dependency was a significant predictor of vandalism and repeated grades. Children with parental psychopathology differed from children without parental psychopathology in the anxious/depressed (p = 0.04), social problems (p = 0.004), and attention problems (p = 0.04) subscales. The subscale items that were significantly different between the groups were nervousness (p = 0.002), self-consciousness (p = 0.019), feelings of worthlessness (p = 0.041), loneliness (p = 0.005), and difficulty with concentration (p = 0.02). Parental psychopathology was a significant predictor of all five items. Age and gender, however, were significant predictors only of difficulty with concentration. No significant differences were found when the groups with alcohol exposure in utero and parental psychopathology, and psychopathology without alcohol exposure were compared. In summary, parental psychopathology was a significant predictor of a child's internalizing behavior, as well as social problems, whereas alcohol exposure was more predictive of externalizing behaviour., Conclusion: Parental psychopathology and prenatal exposure to maternal alcohol can contribute to the child's behavioral phenotype as measured by the CBCL. Therefore, the CBCL can be used to screen for such behaviors.