ASD and FASD: Similarities, Differences, and Clinical and Forensic Implications
Presented by: Jerrod Brown, PhD
This on-demand professional training program on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Similarities, Differences, and Clinical and Forensic Implications is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder afflicting approximately one out of 59 children across the United States. This disorder has no physical markers but is characterized by communication (i.e., verbal and non-verbal) and behavioral (e.g., restricted and/or repetitive actions) symptoms. ASD can be diagnosed at any point, with the symptoms typically emerging during the first three years of life. The presence and severity of these symptoms can have debilitating consequences on an individual’s capacity to function in school, work, community, and home settings.
In contrast, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the result of prenatal exposure to alcohol. This life-course persistent disorder has an estimated prevalence of 5% in the general population. Rates of FASD have been found to be significantly higher among criminal justice-involved populations compared to the general population. FASD is typified by deficits in cognitive (e.g., executive functioning and memory) and adaptive (e.g., verbal and non-verbal communication, social skills, decision-making, and problem-solving) functioning. Complicating screening and assessment, FASD has high levels of diagnostic comorbidity with other disorders like ASD.
In fact, ASD and FASD share a number of symptomatic characteristics. A prominent area of overlap in symptomatology between ASD and FASD is in the area of social development. For instance, individuals with each disorder often struggle to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships as well as use and comprehend forms of non-verbal communication (e.g., body language). Further, ASD and FASD have both been linked to irregularities in self-control, attention span, sensory stimulation, and other broader developmental considerations. Nonetheless, it remains important to distinguish between ASD and FASD due to differences in short- and long-term prognosis and appropriateness of treatment options. This program examines the similarities and differences between ASD and FASD, as well as the clinical and forensic implications for each disorder.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
Key topics covered in this training include:
Symptomatology between ASD and FASD
Links between ASD and FASD
Differences between ASD and FASD
Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here.
American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).
Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.