Publications

The beverage alcohol industry (manufacture, marketing, distribution, and retail) is often seen as playing a role in FASD prevention strategies such as health warning labels. This paper explores the nature of the relationship between the industry and prevention programming. The study considers the place of alcohol in society; the prevalence, social and economic costs of FASD; the ethical notion of alcohol-related harm and then move onto the question of public health partnerships with the industry including the potential conflicts of interests and ethical challenges in such partnerships. Two case studies drawn from Canadian, Australian and New Zealand contexts are presented.

The Australian Child Rights Taskforce considers the mistreatment and over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in youth detention to be a national crisis that requires urgent action. In 2020, the unequal positioning of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia was shown by an incarceration rate that was 17 times higher than the incarceration rates of Australian youth of all other ethnicities combined. Although Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children represent only 6% of the Australian population aged 10–17 years, each day, on average they comprised 48% of those in youth detention. From age 10 years, the most vulnerable and marginalised young people in Australia, many with complex physical and mental health needs, disability needs, and social needs, are criminalised, punished, and removed from their family and community during crucial stages of their development.

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 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.