Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Course Overview

This Ausmed Course provides an overview of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Start this course now to discover the keys to prevention, screening, diagnosis and support.

Topics

• What is FASD?
• How is FASD diagnosed?
• What interventions and support are available for health professionals?

Need

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is easily undetected or misdiagnosed. As such, there is a lack of understanding of FASD by health professionals. There is a timely need for education to address the keys to prevention, screening, diagnosis and support outcomes for children and families affected by FASD.

Purpose

The purpose of this Ausmed Course is to enhance awareness and information regarding fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), in order to ensure registered nurses and other healthcare professionals are able to provide assistance and support to those affected by FASD.

Learning Outcomes

• Use knowledge of the effects of alcohol on the developing foetus to educate women of childbearing age on the issue of FASD.
• Identify individuals at risk of FASD through screening and assessing infants, children, adolescents, and adults for FASD and other prenatal alcohol-related disorders.
• Identify ethical, legal and political issues related to FASD that may be barriers to the implementation of interventions for those who are affected by this condition.

Target Audience

This Ausmed Course is relevant to registered nurses and other healthcare professionals who care for women of childbearing age who may be at risk of drinking during pregnancy, and who may care for children and/or adults who have a diagnosis of FASD.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Anne Heath View profile

Dr Anne Heath is a lecturer at the University of Tasmania in the School of Nursing. She was previously the executive director of education for the National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (NOFASD) Australia. Anne’s teaching specialties are applied health and community support, developmental psychology, project management and quality improvement.