Accurate diagnosis of FAS/FASD?

The Goal

The aim of the conference is to educate about the need of appropriate diagnosis and therapy of children suffering from the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FAS/FASD). These children often face a lifetime of intellectual disability. Moreover, inaccurate or prolonged diagnosis negatively affects the quality of their lives and the functioning of their families, who may be unaware of what are the roots of the problems.

Learning Outcomes

During the conference, participants will learn how to properly diagnose children and teenagers with a suspected FAS/FASD. They will become familiar with the diagnostic tools and find out who should conduct this type of diagnosis. Additionally, they will learn how to assign an appropriate therapy and how to care not only for the children with FAS/FASD, but also for their caretakers (e.g. at home and at school).

More information about the conference (in Polish) »

Who should attend

The conference is addressed to psychologists, educators, therapists, social workers, court appointed case workers, judges, and students of related disciplines, such as psychology, law, social work, and teaching, as well as all institutions that come in contact with children and their families.

Conference attendees will receive Certificates of Participation.

8:00 – 9:00 – Registration

9:00 – 9:30 – Official opening

9:30 – 11:30 – “Proven method of diagnosing FASD” by Dr. Susan J. Astely

11:30 – 11:50 – Coffee break

11:50 – 13:20 – “Daily challenges of families caring for children with FASD – how can we help?” Dr. Gro Lohaugen

13:20 – 15:00 – “Properly aligned therapy is the key to success” Dr. Halina Pawłowska-Jaroń

Dr. Susan J. (Astley) Hemingway - University of Washington

Professor of Epidemiology and Pediatrics at the University of Washington. Director of the Washington State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network (FAS DPN). She has conducted laboratory, clinical, and public health research in the field of FASD since 1981. Current work has been in the development and implementation of FASD diagnostic, screening, surveillance, and prevention tools and programs, including the development of the FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code and FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software; establishment of the Washington State FAS Diagnostic and Prevention Network of clinics and Foster Care FAS Screening Program, and establishment of the FASD diagnostic training program and Online Course.

Gro Løhaugen - Vice-Chair of the European FASD Alliance

Director of Reaching Children’s Potential (RCP) program in Norway. Author of numerous studies and publications on environmental and genetic factors, which impact the perinatal and neonatal (especially neurological and cognitive) child development. Her articles have been published in many professional and academic journals, such as: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, NeuroImage, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Annals of Neurology, The Journal of Pediatrics. She collaborates with the Sørlandet Clinic in Norway, the Institute of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oslo, and with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Her professional interests include medicine, in particular psychiatry, psychosomatics and psychological counseling, as well as psychology, in particular clinical psychology, psychological wellbeing and psychopathology.

dr hab. Halina Pawłowska-Jaroń, prof. UP - Pedagogical University of Cracowd

Researcher and practicing speech therapist at the Skała branch of the Municipal Psychological and Pedagogical Clinic of Kraków. Her professional interests include speech disorders and speech therapy in children with FAS/FASD and in children at risk of other teratogens. She is also interested in the process of acquiring and developing language skills in disabled children with genetic conditional disorders, diagnosis and therapy of patients with neurological conditions, in particular epilepsy, logopedic diagnosis and therapy in the elderly, and application of information technology in the processes of diagnosis and therapy.

Organizers

• Fundacja Fascynujący Świat Dziecka
• SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities

Partners

• Interlogos

The conference is organized under the auspices of:

• European FASD Alliance (EUFASD Alliance)
• Washington State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic
• Prevention Network (FAS DPN)
• Państwowa Agencja Rozwiązywania Problemów Alkoholowych (PARPA)
• Diakonia Polska
• Caritas Bielsko-Żywiecka Diocese
• Governor of Silesia
• Cieszyńskie County
• Euroregion Beskidy

The following broadcasters are providing media support:

• Polish Radio Katowice
• Polish Public Broadcaster TVP3
• Radio CCM
• OX.PL