Elements for developing community-based interventions for adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

Current literature about interventions for adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is limited, which is a concern, due to the high prevalence of FASD. FASD creates lifelong physical, mental, cognitive and behavioral deficits, which impacts many aspects of daily living. Community-based interventions are necessary to better support adults with FASD and provide them with the opportunity to achieve success in their daily lives and social participation. This scoping review aimed to identify elements for developing successful community-based interventions for these individuals.

Method

A search was conducted in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases and supplementary gray literature was resourced. Articles were selected based on inclusion–exclusion criteria, and a thematic analysis was completed to identify and present relevant findings.

Results

Seven articles met selection criteria and were included in this review. Six emerging themes were identified: inclusion of a functional context, individualized support, education for service providers, structure and routine, utilizing a strengths-based approach, and environmental adaptations. These themes were used to present the findings related to the elements necessary for developing interventions for adults with FASD.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the identified elements may be necessary to develop successful interventions, especially community-based interventions, for adults with FASD.

Keywords

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder adult community intervention occupational therapy scoping review

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Arksey

O'Malley

(2005) Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 8(1): 19–32.

Badry

Walsh

Bell

Ramage

et al. (2015) The fetal alcohol Spectrum disorder and homelessness project: Making connections for promising practice. Journal of Substance Abuse and Alcohol 3(1): 1027.

Birch

Carpenter

Marsh

McClung

Doll

(2016) The knowledge of rehabilitation professionals concerning fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Occupational Therapy in Health Care 30(1): 69–79.

Brintnell

Bailey

Sawhney

et al. (2011) Understanding FASD: Disability and social supports for adult offenders. In: Riley

Clarren

Weinberg

Jonsson

(eds) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Management and Policy Perspectives of FASD, 1st ed. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-Blackwell.

British Medical Association (2016) (2016) Alcohol and Pregnancy: Preventing and Managing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, United Kingdom, London: British Medical Association, pp. 34.

Burd

Kerbeshian

(2013) Commentary: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research 2(3): 3–6.

Catholic Social Services (2017) Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder support. Available at: https://www.cssalberta.ca/Our-Ministries/Fetal-Alcohol-Spectrum-Disorder-Support (accessed 18 March 2017).

Chudley

Kilgour

Cranston

et al. (2007) Challenges of diagnosis in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the adult. American Journal of Medical Genetics 145(3): 261–272. .

Colquhoun

Levac

O'Brien

et al. (2014) Scoping reviews: Time for clarity in definition, methods, and reporting. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 67(12): 1291–1294. .

10.

Community Living British Columbia (2011) Supporting success for adults with FASD. Available at: http://www.communitylivingbc.ca/learn-more/other-publications/supporting-success-for-adults-with-fasd/ (accessed 18 March 2017).

11.

Cook

Green

Lilley

et al. (2016) Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A guideline for diagnosis across the lifespan. Canadian Medical Association Journal 188(3): 191–197.

12.

Currie

Hoy

Legge

et al. (2016) Adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Factors associated with positive outcomes and contact with the criminal justice system. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology 23(1): e37–e52.

13.

Dubovsky D (2012) Identification and utilization of strengths and abilities: Key to successful outcomes. Presentation at the 5^th Biennial Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: It's a Matter of Justice. Vancouver, BC.

14.

Fast

Conry

(2009) Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and the criminal justice system. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews 15(3): 250–257. .

15.

Hsieh

Shannon

(2005) Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research 15(9): 1277–1288.

16.

Jirikowic

Gelo

Astley

(2010) Children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Summary of intervention recommendations after clinical diagnosis. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 48(5): 330–344.

17.

Lange

Probst

Gmel

et al. (2017) Global prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among children and youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics 17(10): 948–956.

18.

Leung

AWS

Brintnell

Long

et al. (2016) Functional and neuropsychological abilities in adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. International Journal of Clinical Psychiatry and Mental Health 4(1): 11–18. .

19.

Levac

Colquhoun

O'Brien

(2010) Scoping studies: Advancing the methodology. Implementation Science 5(10): 69.

20.

Moher

Liberati

Tetzlaff

et al. (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. PLoS Medicine 6(7): e1000097, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 .

21.

Paley

O'Connor

(2009) Intervention for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Treatment approaches and case management. Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews 15(3): 258–267. .

22.

Rasmussen

(2005) Executive functioning and working memory in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 29(8): 1359–1367.

23.

Rutman

(2016) Becoming FASD informed: Strengthening practice and programs working with women with FASD. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment 10(S1): 13–20.

24.

Temple

Ives

Lindsay

(2015) Diagnosing FASD in adults: The development and operation of an adult FASD clinic in Ontario, Canada. Journal of Population Therapeutics & Clinical Pharmacology 22(1): e96–e105.

25.

Townsend

Polatajko

(2007) Enabling Occupation II: Advancing an Occupational Therapy Vision for Health, Well-Being, & Justice Through Occupation, Ottawa, ON: CAOT Publications ACE.

26.

Wheeler

Kenney

Temple

(2013) Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: An exploratory investigation of services and interventions for adults. Journal on Developmental Disabilities 19(3): 64–77.