Substance Abuse and 
Substance Abuse and 
Child Welfare
Child Welfare
Making decisions in the best 
Making decisions in the best 
interest of the child…
interest of the child…
Mark W. Weston, MA, LPC
Mark W. Weston, MA, LPC
 
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Fetal
Fetal
Alcohol
Alcohol
Syndrome
Syndrome
 
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
“
“
The offspring of alcoholics have been found 
The offspring of alcoholics have been found 
defective not because of alcoholism of the 
defective not because of alcoholism of the 
parents but because the parents themselves 
parents but because the parents themselves 
came from a defective stock.” (Journal 
came from a defective stock.” (Journal 
American Medical Association, 132:419, 1946). 
American Medical Association, 132:419, 1946).  
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Low birth weight
Low birth weight
Central nervous system effects
Central nervous system effects
Facial dysmorphology
Facial dysmorphology 
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:
The Older Child
The Older Child
Poor growth, weight gain
Poor growth, weight gain
Central nervous system effects
Central nervous system effects
Facial dysmorphology
Facial dysmorphology 
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Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnostic Criteria
I.
I.
Growth retardation
Growth retardation
II.
II.
Facial malformations (>1): short palpebral fissures, thin 
Facial malformations (>1): short palpebral fissures, thin 
upper lip, flat elongated philtrum, hypoplastic midface
upper lip, flat elongated philtrum, hypoplastic midface
III.
III.
Neurodevelopmental disorder 
Neurodevelopmental disorder 
FAS
FAS
Confirmed
Confirmed
 or 
 or 
unconfirmed
unconfirmed
 history of prenatal alcohol exposure 
 history of prenatal alcohol exposure 
Meets criteria in all three categories: I, II, III
Meets criteria in all three categories: I, II, III
ARND
ARND
Confirmed
Confirmed
 history of prenatal alcohol exposure 
 history of prenatal alcohol exposure 
Meets criteria in III
Meets criteria in III
NIAAA
NIAAA 
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FASD
FASD
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 
 “
“
an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can 
an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can 
occur in an individual whose mother drank during 
occur in an individual whose mother drank during 
pregnancy. These effects may include physical, 
pregnancy. These effects may include physical, 
mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with 
mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with 
possible lifelong implications.” 
possible lifelong implications.” 
Bertrand et al, 2004
Bertrand et al, 2004 
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Epicanthal foldsfolds
Flat nasal bridge
Low set ears
Flat philtrum
Receding jawThin upper lip
Short, upturned nose
Flattened midface
Short palpebral 
fissures
Microcephaly  
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Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Dose of alcohol
Dose of alcohol
Pattern of exposure - binge vs chronic
Pattern of exposure - binge vs chronic
Developmental timing of exposure
Developmental timing of exposure
Genetic variation
Genetic variation
Maternal characteristics
Maternal characteristics
Interaction with nutritional variables
Interaction with nutritional variables
Synergistic reactions with other drugs
Synergistic reactions with other drugs 
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