Project Spotlight: FAST (Fetal Alcohol Screening for Today)*

IHR’s Project FAST presents information on the effects that prenatal consumption of alcohol might have on infant and child development to mothers in addiction treatment. One woman wrote, “I was glad to have this group. I was finally able to address the fact that I drank while I was pregnant and I believe my children have learning disabilities because of my use.” She was referred to a local pediatric geneticist for assessment of her children. Women who seldom speak up in treatment groups were actively engaged in conversation, and freely asked questions of project staff. In fact, there were so many questions that the group exceeded its time slot and yet women continued to be fully engaged in the conversation. The treatment staff reported that this was the first group in their long history where the women ‘did not bolt out of the door’ at the appointed ending time. In fact, the women have asked for a follow-up group to continue the conversation. Although some addictions professionals thought that it might be ‘too much’ much for women in early recovery to face the possible consequences of their alcoholism, staff are eager to include this topic into their parenting curriculum. Project FAST staff will develop materials suitable for FASD training other addictions professionals in Massachusetts.