Skip to content

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Suggestibility

Presented By Jerrod Brown, PhD
Jerrod Brown, PhD

1 Hour | 1 CE

This on-demand professional training program on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Suggestibility is presented by Jerrod Brown, Ph.D.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a complex and lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Individuals with FASD often experience a diverse set of clinical symptoms, including executive function (e.g., cognitive flexibility, inhibition, working memory) and adaptive functioning (independent living skills, communication, social skill ability) limitations. Further, individuals with FASD often present with co-occurring psychiatric (e.g., anxiety and depression) and medical health disorders (e.g., sleep disorders). As a result of FASD and these comorbid conditions, along with other individual- and environmental-level factors, individuals with FASD are at an elevated risk of suggestibility.

Suggestibility is the predisposition to (a) accept inaccurate information as accurate and then (b) incorporate this inaccurate information into one’s own memories of an event. Susceptibility to suggestibility places an individual with FASD at significant disadvantages throughout all stages of the criminal justice (e.g., arrest, investigative interviews, confinement, probation, and parole), forensic mental health (e.g., screening, evaluation, risk assessment, and treatment), and legal systems (e.g., trial, cross-examination, and sentencing). Intended for professionals working in these settings, this program is designed to foster greater awareness and understanding of FASD and suggestibility while identifying ways to conduct interviews in a manner that minimizes the risk of suggestibility and increases the chances of gaining accurate and factually correct information. Topics such as confabulation, adverse childhood experiences, attachment issues, executive function, Theory of Mind (ToM), and language development will also be discussed in the context of their relation to FASD and suggestibility. Empirically-based research findings and case study examples are highlighted throughout this program.

Intended Audience

This on-demand professional training program is intended for mental health and other allied professionals

Experience Level

This on-demand professional training program is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.

CE / CPD Credit

APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program you will be able to:

Describe the symptoms and red flag indicators of FASD

Describe ways to improve the identification of FASD in criminal justice and forensic mental health settings

Describe the role of FASD in suggestibility

Describe skills that minimize the risk of suggestibility among persons with FASD

Describe the empirically-based literature associated with FASD and suggestibility

arch

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consu...

Develop a Specialty Area of Practice

Transforming mental health professionals into experts

Expert Instructors

Professional training developed and delivered by the field's leading experts

CE Credit

Earn CE credit for meaningful professional training that will elevate your practice

Convenience & Flexibility

Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!