The Integral Role of Social Workers with People Impacted by PAE/FASD
New research by Dr. Lana Popova et al indicates that in Ontario, fewer than 1% (actual 0.5%) of those who would qualify for a diagnosis have received one. In her upcoming article, FASD Diagnostic Clinic Capacity in Canada, the evidence is clear that that Social Workers and front line clinicians can play an integral role increasing system capacity. Stand alone assessment clinics are overwhelmed and not able to meet the need. We will share this article as soon as it is published.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is an irreversible complex neurodevelopmental condition caused by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure.
Although not commonly known, prenatal alcohol exposure is the cause of most of the learning disabilities that we see in schools.
The evidence is clear from research papers and anecdotally, we know that Social Workers rate their knowledge of FASD as low and do not know where to upskill themselves. When we know better, we can do better…
“In an ideal world, Social Workers would, in the name of social justice, play a primary role in prevention.”
We do not live in an ideal world… instead vulnerable families come to us after the fact and we attribute the observed difficulties to be a result of neglect, poor parenting, attachment and poor behaviour.
Even if unaware of, or mis-informed about FASD, social workers have people with FASD on their caseloads, and they interact with people who have been affected by PAE regularly, many times inter-generationally.
Decisions, and action plans – big ones like to remove a child from a home or from multiple placements will often not be as successful when we are not considering the impact of PAE/FASD.
ARTICLES TO LEARN MORE (PDF Downloads):
Iriss | Social Work and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Australian Social Work | Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Social Work Practice in Australia: A Narrative Literature Review
Advances in Dual Diagnosis | Hearing the Voice of Child Welfare Social Workers: Planning safe care for a child with or suspected of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)
We as Social Workers need to realize that the behaviour we are seeing is not willful, or bad, and not always a result of poor parenting or adverse childhood experiences. Instead in many cases, this person is neurodiverse and not able to behave in the way we would hope or expect. We need to stop setting caregivers and children up to fail.
People still feel that individuals with FASD have obvious facial and physical anomalies. Fact is less than 10% of people with FASD actually have facial features.
“Social Workers have the opportunity to act helpfully even in the absence of a diagnosis.”
Social Workers can and do play an integral role in assessment within their scope:
gathering developmental histories,
investigating about prenatal alcohol/substance exposures,
screening and identifying learning, behavioural, social and emotional challenges
learning about strengths of the individual and family
placing individuals and their families on a pathway to relevant and helpful supports.
Training for Social Workers: Enhancing our Assessment and Support Services
Facilitated by Angela Geddes CYW, BA (Psych), MSW, RSW, YTT, with special guests from people with lived experience.
This 10-hour screening, assessment, and support training program provides an opportunity to build system capacity and be better positioned to accurately identify, support, and refer individuals with complex mental health, learning, and developmental needs.
For the live program, each session is recorded and made available following each live session. The virtual program contains prerecorded video lessons. Participants are also provided with downloadable presentations, resources, and recommended readings.