Overcoming the challenges of caring for a child with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a Pilbara community perspective

Abstract

addition to caregivers having awareness of the complexities impacting the children's biological families. Conclusion:The caregivers in this study have gained valuable knowledge and wisdom through caring for a child with FASD that can benefit health professionals and the broader community. Whilst the caregivers in this study have overcome challenges through developing and adapting their own strategies, support services providing tailored programs for caregivers when they first start caring for a child with FASD would be beneficial. Furthermore, formal respite was not utilised by the caregivers in this study due to safety issues, inconsistent parenting and interrupted routines, therefore investigation into training respite caregivers in the area of FASD would be beneficial. Furthermore, respite services should consider provisions to include extended families and kinship relationships in a formal context to enable ongoing cultural and family connection, consistent parenting strategies and routines.

Lived experience of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A qualitative scoping review

“…In several studies, [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] adoptive and biological caregivers described using adaptive parenting styles to support individuals with FASD. Specifically, biological and adoptive caregivers reported that maintaining structure and routine are key.…”

“…Motivation to foster children with FASD Foster parents choose to foster children with FASD to support the child and to develop their own parenting skills. 47 Benefits of respite care but concerns Respite care is useful to give caregivers a break and can help manage difficult behaviours; 22,24,36,46 however, some caregivers are hesitant to use it because of the risk to the child. 24 Professional strategies to support individuals with FASD Professionals use several strategies to support individuals with FASD:…”

“…In several 22,24,[26][27][28]33,35,36,43 of the studies included in this scoping review, biological, adoptive, and foster caregivers reported that informal support, usually found in friends and family and support groups, is vital for well-being. Informal support provides caregivers with an accepting, non-judgmental place to discuss shared experiences and concerns.…”

“…Several studies 14,22,[24][25][26][27][28][29]32,33,36,40,41,[44][45][46][56][57][58][59] explored the experience of adoptive and biological caregivers with formal support. Formal support was vital to provide advice, information, and support to the whole family, as well as preventing caregiver burnout; caregivers often experienced a lack of support.…”