ABSTRACT

In Australia, it has been well documented that the leading preventable cause of nongenetic neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This review explores literature informing Australian social work in the context of FASD. It highlights the need for increased social work research to inform evidence-based practice (EBP) in FASD diagnosis and management using the biopsychosocial-spiritual-cultural (BPSSC) framework. Social workers are often first to identify children's emotional, behavioural, and learning difficulties that may be a characteristic of FASD. Nonetheless, there is limited knowledge and understanding about how social workers in Australia address FASD. We argue that research about FASD and social work practice can improve social workers’ understanding of the BPSSC characteristics and management of FASD across the life course and contribute to EBP development in these areas in Australian social work.

• IMPLICATIONS

• Social workers have an emerging role in the holistic assessment, diagnosis, and management of FASD in Australia.

• Social workers are well placed in being first to recognise and identify an individual’s emotional, behavioural, sociocultural, and learning difficulties that are characteristics of FASD.

• Social workers can contribute to ongoing care in a tailored FASD management plan that links the caregivers to appropriate local community resources, service provision, and disability supports.

摘要

在澳大利亚，有充分证据表明，非遗传性神经发育障碍 (NDD) 的主要可预防原因是胎儿酒精谱系障碍 (FASD)。本综述探讨了在 FASD 背景下为澳大利亚社会工作提供信息的文献。它强调需要增加社会工作研究，以使用生物心理社会-精神-文化 (BPSSC) 框架为 FASD 诊断和管理中的循证实践 (EBP) 提供信息。社会工作者通常首先发现儿童的情绪、行为和学习困难，这可能是 FASD 的一个特征。尽管如此，对于澳大利亚的社会工作者如何应对 FASD 的知识和理解有限。

• 影响

• 在澳大利亚，社会工作者在 FASD 的整体评估、诊断和管理中发挥着新兴作用。

• 社会工作者很容易首先识别和确定个人的情绪、行为、社会文化和学习困难，这些都是 FASD 的特征。

• 社会工作者可以在量身定制的 FASD 管理计划中为持续护理做出贡献，该计划将护理人员与适当的当地社区资源、服务提供和残疾支持联系起来。