Publications

Recognition of FASD within Australia has continued to grow, particularly with the development of the Australian Diagnostic Guide, yet the availability of FASD-specific services continues to be limited. This paper presents the views and experiences of the six sites across Australia involved indeveloping a FASD Model of Care in their local area.

Neurodevelopmental impairments resulting from FASD can increase the likelihood of justice system involvement. This study compared offence characteristics in young people with FASD to demographically matched controls in Western Australia, uncovering relationships between personal attributes and offence characteristics. After controlling for demographic factors, regression analyses showed FASD participants were more likely than controls to be charged with reckless driving, breach of bail/community orders, property damage, and disorderly behaviour. These findings suggest justice-involved individuals with FASD have unique offending profiles, having implications for sentencing, diversionary/crime prevention programs and interventions.

This comprehensive clinical paediatric assessment examines 103 young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia (WA) and participating in the first FASD (FASD) prevalence study. The findings of multiple and serious impairments and health issues, through completion of comprehensive clinical paediatric and multidisciplinary health and neuro-developmental assessments for this study, support their routine provision to all young people on entry to systems of juvenile justice.

This paper explores the lived experiences of adolescents with FASD (FASD) to understand: the ways in which their challenges influence daily functioning; and the personal assets and external resources that facilitate participation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four adolescents with FASD aged 13 to 15 years. Findings illustrated the barriers adolescents experienced regarding their daily functioning and independence. Additionally, incorporating strengths into daily activities appeared to reduce anxiety and improve participation, and adolescents desired for their unique characteristics to be recognized and appreciated.

Since the 2016 release of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD (FASD), considerable progress has been made in the identification and diagnosis of the disorder. As part of a larger process to review and update the Guide, this study aims to identify review priorities from a broad range of stakeholders involved in the assessment and diagnosis of FASD. Sixty-two stakeholders, including healthcare practitioners, researchers, other specialists, individuals with cultural expertise, lived experience and consumer representatives completed an online survey asking them to describe up to five priorities for the review of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.

Alcohol labelling laws and policy are contentious and highly politicized. Very few countries have been able to implement health warnings on alcohol labels due to complex legal and governance systems and coordinated industry lobbying. In 2020, Australia and New Zealand implemented a mandatory and evidence-based legal standard for pregnancy warning labels on alcohol products. This article discusses some of the challenges faced in achieving policy change and how these barriers were overcome by public health advocacy groups to build the evidence, counter industry conflicts of interest, consumer test health messages, mobilize community support and gather political support.