Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevalence Estimates in Correctional Systems: A Systematic Literature Review (Report‪)‬

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a non-diagnostic umbrella term that covers several medical diagnoses associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, which include: fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). As has been discussed previously in the literature, FASD is associated with organic brain damage that has a detrimental impact on abstracting abilities, memory skills, information processing, the comprehension of social rules and expectations, the ability to connect cause and effect relationships, and the ability to learn from past experiences. (1-4) People with FASD often display characteristics such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, aggressiveness and poor judgement. Given these factors, if appropriate diagnosis, interventions and support services are not put in place early in life and maintained throughout the life-course, many people with FASD are at high risk for becoming involved in the legal system, either as offenders or as victims.