Researchers from the University of Victoria (Victoria, BC, Canada) and the University of Alberta (Edmonton, AB, Canada) partnered in a study aimed at improving attention abilities and executive functioning in children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders through administration of a computerized process approach training program. Early results are promising, and next steps involve school-based implementation.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ChudleyAE, ConryJ, CookJLet al.Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Canadian guidelines for diagnosis. CMAJ, 2005; 172,5 Suppl:S1–S21.
2.
AstleySJ, AylwardEH, OlsonHCet al.Magnetic resonance imaging outcomes from a comprehensive magnetic resonance study of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 2009; 33:1671–1689.
3.
AronsonM, HagbergB. Neuropsychological disorders in children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy: A follow-up study of 24 children to alcoholic mothers in Goteborg, Sweden. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 1998; 22:321–324.
4.
GreenCR, MihicAM, NikkelSMet al.Executive function deficits in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) measured using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Tests Automated Battery (CANTAB)J Child Psychol Psychiatry, 2009; 50:688–697.
5.
KodituwakkuPW, KalbergW, MayPA. The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on executive functioning. Alcohol Res Health, 2001; 25:192–198.
6.
MattsonSN, RileyEP. A review of the neurobehavioral deficits in children with fetal alcohol syndrome or prenatal exposure to alcohol. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 1998; 22:279–294.
7.
MattsonSN, GoodmanAM, CaineCet al.Executive functioning in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 1999; 23:1808–1815.
8.
RasmussenC, BisanzJ. Executive functioning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Profiles and age-related differences. Child Neuropsychol, 2009; 15:201–215.
9.
RasmussenC, HorneK, WitolA. Neurobehavioral functioning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Child Neuropsychol, 2006; 12:1–16.
10.
StreissguthAP, BarrHM, KoganJ, BooksteinFL. Understanding the Occurrence of Secondary Disabilities in Clients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE): Final Report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seattle: Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, University of Washington, 1996.
11.
StreissguthAP, BooksteinFL, BarrHMet al.Risk factors for adverse life outcomes in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. J Dev Behav Pediatr, 2004; 25:228–238.
12.
StadeB, AliA, BennettDet al.The burden of prenatal exposure to alcohol: Revised measurement of cost. Can J Clin Pharmacol, 2009; 16:e91–e102.
13.
SohlbergCA, MateerMM. Cognitive Rehabilitation: An Integrative Neuropsychological Approach. New York: Guilford Press, 2001.
14.
KlingbergT. Training and plasticity of working memory. Trends Cogn Sci, 2010; 14:317–324.
15.
PosnerMI. Developing brains: The works of the Sackler Institute. Clin Neurosci Res, 2001; 1:258–266.
16.
ShalevL, TsalY, MevorachC. Computerized progressive attentional training (CPAT) program: Effective direct intervention for children with ADHD. Child Neuropsychol, 2007; 13:382–388.
17.
HolmesJ, GathercoleSE, DunningDL. Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children. Dev Sci, 2009; 12:F9–F15.
18.
KlingbergT, ForssbergH, WesterbergH. Training of working memory in children with ADHD. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol, 2002; 24:781–791.
19.
KlingbergT, FernellE, OlesenPJet al.Computerized training of working memory in children with ADHD—a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2005; 44:177–186.
20.
ThorellLB, LindqvistS, Bergman NutleySet al.Training and transfer effects of executive functions in preschool children. Dev Sci, 2009; 12:106–113.
21.
ColesCD, KableJA, TaddeoE. Math performance and behavior problems in children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure: Intervention and follow-up. J Dev Behav Pediatr, 2009; 30:7–15.
22.
WellsM, ChasnoffI, SchmidtCet al.Neurocognitive habilitation therapy for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: An adaptation of the Alert Program. Am J Occup Ther, 2012; 66:24–34.
23.
LebelC, RasmussenC, WyperKet al.Brain diffusion abnormalities in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 2008; 32:1732–1740.