Abstract

Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, are overrepresented in criminal justice settings and have complex, forensically relevant clinical needs. This study surveyed 81 forensic clinicians recruited via international professional association listserv postings and social media about their assessment and intervention practices in providing services to clients with FASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), along with their training experiences and needs in this area. Results indicated that the majority of clinicians had forensic experience working with clients who had FASD and other NDDs, although most identified limited relevant training experiences, gaps in their readiness for service provision, and practice barriers in effectively working with these populations. Clinicians also reported seeing fewer clients with FASD relative to other NDDs, and feeling less prepared for forensic practice with this population. Most clinicians endorsed the need for additional training and supports to increase their competency and enhance their practice, such as the development of screening tools, clinical guidelines, and access to experts or specialists for consultation. As awareness about FASD continues to grow in legal contexts, additional research, training, and policy consideration is required to develop and implement evidence-based practice resources for forensic clinicians.

摘要

胎儿酒精性谱系障碍（FASD）是由产前暴露于酒精引起的神经发育障碍，在刑事司法机构中人数过多，并且具有复杂的，具有法医学意义的临床需求。这项研究调查了81位通过国际专业协会listserv帖子和社交媒体招募的法医临床医生，评估了他们在为患有FASD和其他神经发育障碍（NDD）的患者提供服务方面的评估和干预措施，以及他们在该领域的培训经验和需求。结果表明，大多数临床医生具有与拥有FASD和其他NDD的客户合作的法医经验，尽管大多数人确定相关的培训经验有限，在准备提供服务方面存在差距，并在与这些人群有效合作中实践障碍。临床医生还报告说，与其他NDD相比，FASD的患者减少了，对这种人群的法医实践的准备也有所减少。大多数临床医生赞同需要额外的培训和支持，以提高他们的能力并增强他们的实践，例如开发筛查工具，临床指南以及寻求专家咨询的机会。随着在法律背景下对FASD的认识不断提高，需要更多的研究，培训和政策考虑，才能为法医临床医生开发和实施基于证据的实践资源。大多数临床医生赞同需要额外的培训和支持，以提高他们的能力并增强他们的实践，例如开发筛查工具，临床指南以及寻求专家咨询的机会。随着在法律背景下对FASD的认识不断提高，需要更多的研究，培训和政策考虑，才能为法医临床医生开发和实施基于证据的实践资源。大多数临床医生赞同需要额外的培训和支持以提高他们的能力并增强其实践，例如开发筛查工具，临床指南以及与专家咨询的机会。随着在法律背景下对FASD的认识不断提高，需要更多的研究，培训和政策考虑，才能为法医临床医生开发和实施基于证据的实践资源。