1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

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

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 individuals- 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 training 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 are also discussed in the context of their relation to FASD and suggestibility. Empirically-based research findings and case study examples will be highlighted throughout this training.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the symptoms and red flag indicators of FASD
  • 2 Describe ways to improve the identification of FASD in criminal justice and forensic mental health settings
  • 3 Describe the role of FASD in suggestibility
  • 4 Describe skills that minimize the risk of suggestibility among persons with FASD
  • 5 Describe the empirically-based literature associated with FASD and suggestibility

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals who support individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), especially those working in criminal justice, forensic mental health, and legal environments. The program addresses the unique challenges of FASD, focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders, executive functioning, and suggestibility, and is tailored for professionals working in settings such as correctional facilities, forensic hospitals, community mental health centers, legal systems, and social service agencies.

  • Experience Level

    • Intermediate to advanced practitioners

    • Professionals with foundational knowledge of mental health or neurodevelopmental disorders

    • Those seeking specialized skills in forensic, legal, or correctional contexts

  • Practice Setting

    • - Forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists

    • Counselors and clinical social workers

    • Mental health professionals in correctional or forensic settings

    • Allied professionals in legal, educational, or social service fields

    • Professionals working with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially FASD

Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, PhD, is the Treatment Director for Pathways Counseling Center, Inc., the lead developer of an online Master of Arts degree in Human Services with an emphasis in Forensic Behavioral Health from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS), and the Editor-in-Chief of Forensic Scholars Today (FST) and the Journal of Special Populations (JSP).

View More Programs from this Presenter
Jerrod Brown, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • FASD & Suggestibility

  • Literature & Research

CE Sponsorship Information

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. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. 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.