Psychoeducation of Parents to Children With FASD

By longitudinal, prospective research in children and adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and their parents to explore the beneficial effects of participating in a standardized intervention program in order to treat and reduce the consequences of early brain damage. By using elements from international programs based on psychoeducation and parent training, the investigators aim to help parents to better understand and respond to the neurodevelopmental disabilities of their children, and thereby improving behavioral problems and self-regulation deficits.

All children and adolescents (age 2,5-18 years) referred to the Regional Competence Centre for children with prenatal alcohol exposure in Arendal, Norway will be invited to participate in the current research project.Inclusion criteria:Valid information about alcohol exposure in fetal life. Exceptions to this inclusion criterion are children who have been adopted and with dysmorphic features that are consistent with full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.Exclusion Criteria:Children with known genetic syndromes, progressive brain and neuromuscular diseases or major sensory defects (blindness or deafness).