Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinician's Guide

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinician's Guide is a comprehensive resource for mental health practitioners and professionals in educational, vocational, legal, child welfare, and correctional settings who encounter individuals with a hidden disability that compromises their success in career, family, and life. The author is a noted scholar and clinician in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and the book fills a glaring gap in the training literature on prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). It emphasizes the need for individual clinicians to develop expert knowledge of PAE, rather than create new alternative services or systems to cater to these patients. The guide offers in-depth coverage of essential topics, including differential diagnoses, red flags, assessment and diagnosis, pharmacological intervention, psychological treatment, strategies and programs, and critical success factors. Proper diagnosis of FASD is fraught with difficulty, and clinicians need specialized knowledge to navigate the red herrings and red flags.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 472 pages
\n Publication date: 20 March 2021
\n Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
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Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinician's Guide is a comprehensive resource for mental health practitioners and professionals in various educational, vocational, legal, child welfare, and correctional settings. The author, a renowned scholar and clinician in the field of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), has authored this book to address a significant gap in the training literature on prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Individuals with FASD often lack a diagnosis and the professional support they desperately need, leading to frustration and suffering. Many of them are unnecessarily institutionalized or encounter the criminal justice system.

Drawing upon evidence-based research and employing the most current assessment techniques and treatment strategies, the book aims to help the reader understand that pathophysiology plays a crucial role in interpreting outcomes and that the effects of PAE vary based on the differential impacts of other biopsychosocial factors. The book emphasizes the importance of individual clinicians developing expert knowledge of PAE rather than creating new alternative services or systems to cater to these patients.

Beautifully written and clinically rich, the guide offers in-depth coverage of essential topics:

Clinical Vignettes: The book employs clinical vignettes to assist clinicians in working through differential diagnoses, recognizing the red flags that individuals with PAE may exhibit, and implementing evidence- and practice-based modifications to care that help patients improve and thrive.

Changing Terminology: Over the five decades that the complications of PAE have been recognized in the scientific literature, the terms used to describe the entities have changed. The book provides a comprehensive overview of these changes, helping clinicians stay up-to-date with the latest terminology and understanding the nuances associated with different diagnoses.

Ethical Considerations: The book addresses ethical considerations related to prenatal alcohol exposure, including the duty to disclose, the potential for harm to the fetus, and the rights of individuals with PAE. It provides guidance on navigating these complex ethical dilemmas and promoting ethical practice.

Treatment Approaches: The book discusses various treatment approaches for individuals with PAE, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, and support services. It highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach and provides practical strategies for implementing evidence-based treatments in clinical settings.

Future Directions: The book explores future directions in the field of PAE, including research, policy, and advocacy efforts. It highlights the need for continued awareness, education, and support for individuals with PAE and their families.

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Clinician's Guide is a valuable resource for mental health practitioners and professionals who work with individuals who may have a hidden disability compromising their success in career, family, and life. By providing comprehensive and clinically relevant information, the book empowers clinicians to understand the pathophysiology of PAE, interpret outcomes, and implement evidence-based treatments that promote recovery and well-being.

\n Weight: 774g\n
Dimension: 154 x 231 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781615372393\n \n