Recognition, Prevention, and Strength‑Based Care Across the Lifespan
This episode, developed through a collaboration between FASD United, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Medical Assistant Partnership for Healthy Pregnancies and Families at the University of Nevada, Reno, features expert perspectives from Douglas Waite, MD, FAAP; Roxanne Chang, MD, FAAP; Jeffrey Quinlan, MD, FAAFP; and Sandra Gonzalez, LCSW, PhD, and is hosted by Sarah Brown, MPH. Together, these healthcare professionals offer an evidence‑based overview of prenatal alcohol use (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) across the lifespan.
Read more about this episode
Listeners will explore PAE and FASDs from early childhood through adulthood, highlighting why these conditions must be recognized, addressed, and supported across systems and throughout the lifespan. The conversation begins by grounding listeners in the role of the National Partner Network (NPN), the importance of FASDs within pediatric and public health networks, and the critical need for early recognition and support in pediatric care.
The discussion expands to prevention approaches, normalizing alcohol use screening during pregnancy, and understanding how FASDs can manifest differently over time. Common myths and misconceptions about prenatal alcohol exposure are addressed, alongside a focus on improving long‑term outcomes.
The episode concludes by examining strength‑based approaches, countering the stigma, life beyond the diagnosis, and policy efforts such as the FASD Respect Act, which are highlighted as essential components of a comprehensive, compassionate response to FASDs.
Chapters
Part 1 - Foundations of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs): Why It Matters
(00:00 to 13:52)
This opening segment introduces the National Partner Network (NPN) and explains why prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are critical issues within pediatric and public health networks. Listeners learn what FASDs are, why early recognition matters, and the essential role medical assistants, pediatricians, and family physicians play in identifying and connecting children to supports that help them thrive.
Part 2 - FASDs Across the Lifespan: Prevention, Reality, and Myths
(13:53 to 29:23)
This segment explores FASDs from a lifespan perspective, with a focus on adulthood, prevention strategies, and the importance of normalizing alcohol use screening during pregnancy. The discussion addresses how FASDs can present over time and dispels common myths and misconceptions about prenatal alcohol use.
Part 3 - From Screening for FASDs to Identifying Strengths: Systems, Support, and Policy
(29:24 to 51:57)
The final portion focuses on screening for prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and FASDs across health systems, addressing stigma, and managing FASDs within health care systems. The conversation highlights life beyond diagnosis, strength‑based approaches to care, and policy efforts such as the FASD Respect Act that aim to improve outcomes for individuals and families.