Children, teens and adults with neurological impairment because of FASD are thought to have a wide range of learning and behavior difficulties that require specialized or modified treatment techniques. Treatments offered directly to children and older individuals with FASD are, as of now, a relatively unexplored research area— but there are exciting ideas being tried by clinicians and families every day. From what we know from descriptive research on FASD and related childhood disorders (such as traumatic brain injury), neurological impairment means atypical learning. Progress is likely to be slow. But research with animals, and new research with children diagnosed with FASD, shows us that learning can, does and will take place—if we understand how to offer information and support learning.
What are promising strategies for child-focused treatment? There are many, although they have not been written about in detail, and reviews are still underway. Especially important are techniques focused on the deficits most commonly found in the FASD population. To remediate deficits in attention and executive function, social skills and behavior regulation, researchers have discussed cognitive control techniques, friendship skill-building groups, social skills groups, calming techniques and neurobehavioral feedback. Current researchers are studying these techniques in U.S. states such as California, New Mexico and Washington, and in other countries such as Canada and South Africa. Researchers such as Mary O’Connor, Wendy Kalberg, Tracy Jirikowic, Kimberly Kerns, Colleen Adnams, Julie Quamma and many others are exploring these strategies. See also the “ educational strategies” section for brief discussion of interesting child treatments such as cognitive rehabilitation and computer training. See the “early intervention” section for other direct treatments for young children aimed at learning readiness and education.
• Gather together information about direct intervention techniques in a systematic literature review (this is underway).
• Carry out systematic research on the promising techniques described above!