An Overview of Family-Focused Interventions for Supporting Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Background: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a chronic childhood disorder that occurs in individuals who were prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD results in many developmental challenges including academic concerns, social difficulties, and deficits in higher-order cognitive functions, commonly known as executive function. Due to the challenges across many domains, caregivers report high levels of stress. The purpose of this scoping review is to evaluate current empirical research on the usefulness of family-focused interventions for children with FASD and their caregivers. Methods: We identified 520 peer-reviewed, empirical articles published between 2003-2023. We searched relevant internet databases, including Google Scholar, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, and PubMed. Empirical articles that were written in English, focused on family interventions, and recruited children/adolescents with FASD were selected. A total of 21 articles were used in this review paper. Results: Out of the 21 studies reviewed, 17 used quantitative methods, 3 used qualitative, and one used a mixed-methods approach. Four studies investigated the Child Friendship Training intervention, three examined the GoFAR and Alert program interventions, and two focused on the MILE intervention. Individual studies explored various other interventions, including theatre-based, coaching families (CF), Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), and Project Step Up (SUI) interventions. The majority of the studies reviewed (14/21, 66.6%) indicated significant positive changes in the child’s externalizing and internalizing behaviour, (7/21, 33.3%) social skills and some reduction in parenting stress (4/21, 19.0%) following the family focused intervention. Conclusion: This review provides preliminary evidence highlighting the benefits of offering family-focused intervention for families of children with FASD, However, evidence-based research on these interventions remains limited, and more studies are needed to better understand their efficacy for families of children with FASD. More feasibility and randomized controlled trials are needed to further explore the scope of family-focused interventions, identify necessary program adaptations needed, and benefits for families with children diagnosed with FASD. Policymakers, educators, and clinicians can use the existing information to adapt and implement programs supporting caregivers and their children with FASD.