Course Summary

Practice Level: Beginner

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a severe condition caused by moderate to heavy alcohol use by the mother during pregnancy. It can result in long-term physical, behavioral, and intellectual consequences in individuals who experienced this prenatal exposure to alcohol. Mental health providers can better support clients facing challenges due to FAS when they understand the complexities of FAS and the importance of intervention in mitigating its effects. The purpose of this learning material is to prepare social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and counselors to recognize FAS in clients and to use effective interventions and approaches when working with these clients and their families.

Clinicians work with a variety of clients, including individuals at risk of alcohol use during pregnancy, individuals living with disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, and individuals supporting and/or caring for those affected by FAS. This learning material presents the cause, risk factors, signs, and symptoms of FAS and provides an explanation of the syndrome’s diagnostic impression and influencing factors.  It also discusses the ethical considerations and cultural components associated with FAS and prevention interventions for mothers at risk. Upon completion of this learning material, providers will be able to apply prevention and intervention methods to support clients facing challenges due to FAS.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), including its causes, risk factors, and effects. 
  2. Identify symptoms of FAS. 
  3. Describe prevention and intervention approaches that support at-risk mothers and FAS clients, including multidisciplinary collaboration. 
  4. Recognize cultural, legal, ethical, and caregiver considerations that affect prevention and intervention of FAS. 

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Overview of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
    • Causes and Risk Factors
    • Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
    • Identification and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Prevention and Intervention for Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
    • Screening
    • Awareness and Education
    • Prenatal Counseling for Mothers at Risk
    • Postnatal Counseling and Follow-up for Mothers
  • Interventions for Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
    • Early Intervention
    • School-Age
    • Adolescent Interventions
    • Adult Interventions
  • Barriers to Prevention and Identification
    • Lack of Screening
    • Maternal Beliefs about Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
    • Context of Pregnancy
    • Access to Care
  • Multidisciplinary Collaboration
    • Roles of Varied Healthcare Providers
  • Legal and Ethical Considerations
    • Mandated Reporting Requirements
  • Cultural Components
    • Racial/Ethnic Disparities
    • Access to Prenatal Care
    • Stigma and Discrimination
    • Mistrust of the Healthcare System
  • Caregiver Experiences
  • Case Study: Robin and Amani
    • Discussion     
  • Summary

Author

Tina Bethel, EdD, MSW, LCSW

Tina Bethel, EdD, MSW, LCSW has two decades of experience in the field of social work and human services. Her extensive experience and expertise in working with individuals affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders includes consideration of the medical, psychological, and social implications of FASD. She has worked closely with other healthcare professionals in managed care programs providing case management and treatment planning to improve outcomes with the maternal client and the baby and has provided supportive services and interventions to various populations in her community.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 2 clinical continuing education credits.

This course has been approved by CE4Less.com, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #91345, CE4Less.com is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

NBCC

CE4Less.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6991. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE4Less.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0835.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.