Adopting A Child Living With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Softcover

Liz Lawryk

Softcover

ISBN 10: 097377391X ISBN 13: 9780973773910

Publisher: OBD Triage Institute, 2012

Synopsis

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has a lengthy history of being the most misunderstood form of organic brain injury in our society today. This medical disposition is one of the most complex and variable forms of permanent brain dysfunction, and behaviour problems or faint hope for a successful future is often the message in literature or websites.
In the past, inappropriate behaviour demonstrated by some children diagnosed within Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder was solely attributed to brain injury. There was little consideration in identifying the other parts of the body that could be compromised by prenatal alcohol exposure. Approximately 200 physical issues have been found to occur more commonly within this patient population. Many children will have a small number of physical issues, and some individuals may have many. FASD is considered a whole body disorder. Most importantly, some of the possible physical problems may be misinterpreted as intentional uncooperative or defiant behaviour in children. It is important to note that children with other types of developmental disabilities have the same or similar issues.
The OBD (Organic Brain Dysfunction) Triage Physician s Checklist© is a list of physical abnormalities that have been found to exist in this patient population. A reminder, none of the following physical issues are exclusive to patients with FASD as they occur in children with other forms of developmental disabilities and in the general population of children as well. One feature alone does not mean that a child has FASD. The diagnostic physician looks for a cluster or group of physical findings to evaluate to determine an accurate, responsible medical diagnosis. It is important to review these possibilities to ensure that your child has the appropriate medical care for issues that may require treatment. Also, physical differences cited in this list are often misunderstood by others as defiant or uncooperative behaviour.
This book offers a detailed account of the potential physical, sensory processing (how we filter and feel information), learning abilities, and day to day living skills. It offers parents new and practical information in how we evaluate, and best support children based on all aspects of their personal profile.

About this title

About the Author

Liz Lawryk BSW MSc. Health Sciences, RSW, is currently the Chief Clinical Examiner of the OBD (Organic Brain Dysfunction) Triage Institute, and Executive Director of the Canadian FASD Foundation. She has worked with children, youth, adults, and families within the Rehabilitation, Hospital, and Children s Services systems for nearly three decades.
Her research of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Conditions began in 1989. Ms. Lawryk developed the OBD (Organic Brain Dysfunction) Triage Instrument and Model: A Screening Instrument for use in the Evaluation of Teratogenic Effects on Embryonic Development 1998, 2011© The model is utilized in providing the FASD diagnostic physician and team with the pertinent information required for to evaluate an accurate and responsible medical diagnosis of possible organic brain dysfunction.
As guest professor, she has co-taught the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disability Issues course at the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, and has provided training seminars and keynote lectures to hundreds of parent and professional groups including FASD Diagnostic Medical Clinic Teams, the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, the Alberta Provincial Judges Association, Children s Services / Child Welfare, and Community Service Agencies, various Aboriginal Services, Justice Professionals, Federal Correctional Institutions, Pharmaceutical Associations, and School Boards.
Ms. Lawryk has been qualified as an expert witness in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, in Youth, Family, and Provincial Courts in the Province of Alberta, Canada. She developed the Diagnostic Interpretation of Abilities Clinics ©, which provides families, support team, and agency staff with a clear explanation of the patient s respective medical diagnosis. More importantly, clinics identify how factors of the whole body disorder might translate to what appears to be wilful, defiant behaviours. Ms. Lawryk described the patient-specific concept of creative strategy development and intervention techniques with the focus on strength-based abilities in her book Finding Perspective ... Raising Successful Children Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - A Parent s Guide to Creating Prevention Strategies and Intervention Techniques. She co-edited the book, "Letters to Our Children, Letters from Our Children: Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Effects", authored by families living with FASD s and a contributor to a number of FASD s related educational DVDs and Webinars including "FAS Forward: A Fresh Look at Fetal Alcohol Syndrome". 2001.
Her next book, Addictions Treatment Design for Individuals Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is due for release in the summer of 2012. Currently, Ms. Lawryk is in private practice providing Diagnostic Interpretation of Abilities Clinics ©, as well as numerous parent and professional focused seminars. She is well known for her energetic, humorous and accessible lectures, and making complex issues easy to understand.

Edition details

• Publisher: OBD Triage Institute
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 097377391X
• ISBN 13: 9780973773910
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 174
• Editor: Karen D Crowdis
• Illustrator: Spindrift Design Studio Inc