Understanding FASD in Maine: Diagnosis, Support & Early Intervention by MPBHP

Posted on October 30, 2024

Maine Pediatric & Behavioral Health Partnership November Webinar Announcement

Understanding FASD in Maine: Diagnosis, Support & Early Intervention

Thursday, November 21 | 7:30-8:30AM

Target Audience: This session is designed for pediatric primary care physicians, their clinical teams, and other
non-clinical healthcare staff involved in pediatric care.

Overview: This webinar offers an introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in Maine,
addressing common concerns around diagnosis and treatment. It explores how FASD is differentiated from
disorders like ASD and ADHD, shares current statistics, and highlights the importance of early intervention and
community supports.

Maine-Specific FASD Statistics: Madonna Mooney will share up-to-date research and data to provide insight into the
prevalence and impact of FASD within the state.
Diagnosis and Support: Lynn Cole will discuss why early diagnosis is critical, how to navigate the process, and the
importance of follow-up care and resources available for children and families post-diagnosis.
Early Intervention: Dara Fruchter will present the Maine Birth to 3 program, highlighting how early intervention can
address developmental delays associated with prenatal alcohol exposure and support eligible children and their
families.

Presented By:
Madonna Mooney, B.S.Ed. is a former nurse and teacher, a co-founder of FASD Maine, and sibling of an
adult with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Her work focuses on increasing awareness and
understanding of prenatal alcohol exposure and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Madonna and the FASD
Maine team have provided training and resources to the Maine AAP Foster Care Committee, MaineHealth
Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Maine DOE, among others. Madonna is inspired by the courage and resilience of
her brother and all individuals affected by FASD and those who work on their behalf.

Lynn Cole, MSN, CPNP-PC is the Director of Clinical Services in the Division of Developmental and
Behavioral Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center, with over 30 years of experience in
pediatric healthcare. She specializes in caring for children with complex developmental and behavioral
challenges, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Autism, and early life adversity. Lynn
leads a large subspecialty clinical operation and develops innovative programs to meet the needs of
children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her clinical and research interests include
developmental impact of prenatal exposures and early childhood trauma, as well as innovative
strategies to increase capacity for care of children with disabilities.

Dara Fruchter is the Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects Manager for Early Intervention for ME, Birth to
Three, (Part C), where she promotes early healthy child development and access to Maine’s early intervention
programming for young children, 0-36 months, and their families and caregivers. Dara collaborates with
statewide partners, including hospitals, medical providers, and community organizations raising awareness of
the individualized benefits and resources available to families, with a particular focus on supporting
substance-exposed infants and other at-risk populations.

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webina...

For more information, please refer to our website: www.bhpartnersforme.org