FASCETS Information and Training Materials

Printed materials and training videos offered by FASCETS are based on research, clinical work, and personal experiences. They have been developed to provide current, useful, understandable information for parents, professionals and people with FAS/ARND, and to support collaboration among families, professionals, agencies and organizations.The following materials support development of a common language for talking about behaviors differently, so that parents and psychologists, educators and family members are all "on the same page". This information increases understanding, reduces frustration, and supports development of different and more effective strategies.

WRITTEN MATERIAL

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Collection of Information for Parents and Professionals,
by Diane Malbin, MSW

This collection is organized around the following topics:

1. Diagnosis of FAS/ARND and the range of effects,
2. A framework for understanding behaviors and overlapping diagnoses,
3. How it is that good parenting and professional techniques seem ineffective, and
4. Guidelines for developing effective supports at home, school and the community.

183 pages, Second Edition, illustrated, revised 2006 -- $25.00

Please add shipping and handling to each order. All prices are U.S. Dollars.

Trying Differently Rather Than Harder
By Diane Malbin, MSW

This booklet is a sequel to the earlier publication, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects: Strategies for Professionals. It provides a readable, narrative discussion of the model for working effectively with children, adolescents and adults with FAS/ARND. After a brief review of the diagnosis, the focus is on understanding behaviors differently - primary and secondary learning and behavioral characteristics. One section explores the most common behavioral symptoms by providing case examples, interventions, and outcomes. The model for Trying Differently Rather Than Harder is illustrated by stories of how alternative interventions lead to less frustration.

There is a section of common questions with answers and discussion, for example, “How much alcohol does it take to cause FAS?†and “Every year we seem to get the latest ‘pop’ diagnosis, like a fad. How do we know FAS/ARND isn’t just one more in a long line of hit topics?†or “I have other children in my class. How can I do things differently for just one child?†and others.

80 pages, Second Edition, illustrated, revised 2002 -- $15.00

TRAINING VIDEOS

Fetal Alcohol and Other Drug Effects
A Four-Part Training Series for Parents and Professionals

Four one-hour training videos were developed to provide information for parents and professionals. These have been shown on cable access TV and are now available for wider distribution. They were developed to provide accessible, practical information and training to help parents, families, professionals, and to support program development. They have also been used as discussion guides for information and support groups.

Part 1: Diagnostic Criteria: Effects of Prenatal Exposure
This video provides current information about FAS/ARND, including the history of references to drinking and pregnancy outcomes, diagnostic criteria and the range of effects of prenatal alcohol and drug exposure. Research on fathers' drinking and pregnancy outcome is also discussed. Numerous photographs of children and adolescents with FAS/ARND are included.

Part 2: Common Learning and Behavioral Characteristics
A visual model for linking the neurological differences associated with FAS/ARND is introduced in this video. Stories illustrate what these differences mean for children, adolescents and adults with FAS/ARND. Parents and professionals in the studio audience participate in the discussion, contributing their stories of successful adaptations.

Part 3: Behaviors and Overlapping Diagnoses
Many diagnoses are given to children with FAS/ARND as they grow. This video includes a discussion of the most common overlapping diagnoses, for example Attention Deficit Disorder, Conduct Disorder, and others. The fit between good parenting and professional strategies and neurological differences is explored to clarify how it is that good techniques may not be effective for people with FAS/ARND. The model for providing environmental adaptations to prevent secondary behaviors is also introduced.

Part 4: Barriers to Identification: Historical, Cultural, Professional and Personal
Judy Cropp, Cofounder of FASCETS, and grandparent of children prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs, and Debra Evensen, educational consultant and FAS specialist in Alaska are interviewed on this video. Judy talks about her granddaughter, and how she was able to talk with her daughter about FAS; Debra tells stories about the impact of discovering FAS/ARND professionally. Both share examples of their successes in their personal lives and work.

Video series is sold only as a set:
Parents and caregivers: $150.00 (U.S.) for the set (sliding fee scale is available on request)
Professionals and organizations $200.00 (U.S.) for the set