Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities [Paperback]

Ann Pytkowicz Streissguth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 1997

Compelling and easy to understand, this book explains the medical and social issues surrounding fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Compassionately written by the expert psychologist who conducted some of the earliest examinations of chidren with FAS and FAE more than 20 years ago, this guidebook explains how to identify and work with children and adults who have the disorder and how to educate prospective mothers and society at large. Photographs, illustrations, and case studies reveal the physical and behavioral manifestations of FAS and FAE, particularly in children. For parents, educators, pediatricians, psychologists, adoption workers, social workers, nurses, and child care providers, this timely book speaks to everyone seeking an understanding of the challenges faced by children who have these entirely preventable disabilities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is a significant resource for the study of FAS, presented in an easily read style." -- The Union Signal

Streissguth has given families much in this book to help them understand FAS and FAE more completely. -- Journal of Studies on Alcohol

presents a comprehensive overview of the field that is aimed at professionals, families, and communities. -- Child Development Abstracts & Bibliography

this book would be an excellent resource for health professionals, educators, and community leaders... --Family & Community Health

About the Author

Ann Streissguth, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She received her master's degree in child development from the University of California at Berkeley and her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Washington. Dr. Streissguth is a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialty in behavioral teratology. She has 25 years experience working with individuals with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE), as well as with their families and communities. Researchers at the University of Washington Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, which Dr. Streissguth directs, have investigated many types of prenatal influences on later development in offspring, including alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, aspirin, and acetaminophen. Prior to her position at the Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit, Dr. Streissguth studied the impact of poverty, preschool experience, caregiving experiences, and the rubella virus on child development. In all, she has published more than 150 scientific papers, two books, and slide-teaching curriculum on alcohol and pregnancy.

Dr. Streissguth and her colleagues have been actively involved in research on preventing FAS/FAE since these conditions were identified. In 1978, she collaborated with Dr. Ruth Little in a 3-ear project (The Pregancy and Health Program) funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to develop methods to intervene in female alcohol abuse during pregnancy and to prevent FAS/FAE. More recently, Dr. Streissguth and colleagues developed and evaluated the impact of a model advocacy program (Seattle Birth to 3) for helping high-risk women who are abusing alcohol and drugs during pregnancy and not receiving prenatal care. At the conclusion of the 5-year research program funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), a local philanthropist provided funding to continue the program; then the governor of Washington State provided funds to develop a second site in another city. As of 1997, the Washington State legislature has funded the two sites for the biennium. Dr. Streissguth has been principal investigator of the Pregnancy and Health Study, a longitudinal prospective study of the relationship between early experiences and child development, funded by NIAAA since 1974. She has completed a major research project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on secondary disabilities in individuals with FAS/FAE and associate risk and protective factors, which culminated in an international conference in Seattle in September 1996. Since 1983, Dr. Streissguth has worked with Native American communities and the Indian Health Service to provide FAS training workshops, screening clinics, research findings, and direct consultations to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. With her colleagues, she has also initiated a 5-year study of magnetic functioning in people with FAS/FAE, funded by NIAAA.

Along with Dr. Paul Lemoine of France, Dr.Streissguth was co-recepient of the 1985 International Jellinek Memorial Award for Advancement of the Field of Alcohol Studies. In 1987, along with Dr. Ruth Little, she received the annual award for outstanding contribution from the American Medical Society on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies. In 1992, the National Council on Alchoholism and Drug Dependence presented the Silver Key Aware to Dr. Streissguth on behalf of her "outstanding contribution and research on FAS/FAE." In 1997, she received the Outstanding Public Service Award from the University of Washington for her efforts to help individuals with FAS/FAE and their families.

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Paul H Brookes Pub Co; 1st edition (January 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557662835
• ISBN-13: 978-1557662835
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #548,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best and most thorough guide to fetal alcohol syndrome, May 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities (Paperback)

After reading Dr. Streissguth's book on fetal alcohol syndrome, I feel this book should be given to every parent or caretaker who receives this diagnosis about their child. This is the most thorough book I have found on this subject. Dr. Streissguth's knowledge in this area is so extensive and her book offers a step by step approach and guidelines on what you will need to know to in raising a child with FAS. I truly recommend her book and am so grateful for her insights.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome, May 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities (Paperback)

the most informative book i have ever read on fetal alcohol.easy to read, easy to understand. i was absolutely floored by this book. i cannot tell you how many times i said " thats my kid ".thank you so much ann streissguth for making these kids count.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent FAS resource, July 26, 2001

By 

Tim Buckley (Everett, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities (Paperback)

Dr. Streissguth is one of the pioneers in the identification and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the entire spectrum of congenital damage arising from in-utero exposure to alcohol. 25 years after the identification of this common and devastating disability, most efforts in the academic community still focus on definition and diagnosis, with relatively little attention paid to treatment. Dr. Streissguth stands atop the heap in extending her basic science research into the actual lives of affected individuals, their families, and the communities in which they live. I consider her the foremost authority in the academic community on exploring pragmatic options for helping affected individuals, families, and community.

This little volume is jam packed with useful information.