Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Strategies for Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Strategies for Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention
Online Module
Created By: American Society of Addiction Medicine
Created: September 2026
Overview
This educational module provides an overview of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), integrating core science, clinical identification, and systems-based care. Learners will explore alcohol as a teratogen, the neurobiology and epidemiology of prenatal alcohol exposure, and the impact of stigma, bias, and mixed messaging on diagnosis. The module reviews the FASD spectrum, highlighting under-diagnosis and overlap with other developmental conditions, and equips participants to recognize key neurobehavioral and physical features. It outlines the multidisciplinary diagnostic process, including obtaining prenatal exposure histories, conducting developmental assessments, and considering differential diagnoses and polysubstance exposure. Evidence-based, trauma-informed management strategies and guidance on appropriate referrals are presented, along with the importance of diagnosis even without a cure. Finally, the module addresses FASD across the lifespan and emphasizes collaboration with families, schools, healthcare systems, and community resources, alongside key legal, ethical, and public health considerations.
The target audience for this activity includes all clinical healthcare professionals.
This activity addresses the following ACGME Competencies: Patient Care and Procedural Skills; Medical Knowledge and Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Systems-based practice.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, learners will be able to:
- Identify the neurobiology and epidemiology of prenatal alcohol exposure, definitions within the FASD spectrum, and the impact of stigma, bias, and mixed media messaging on awareness and diagnosis.
- Describe the neurobehavioral and physical characteristics of FASD, the multidisciplinary diagnostic process, challenges in assessment and diagnosis, and considerations for differential diagnosis.
- Explain the key elements of FASD diagnosis, including prenatal exposure history, developmental assessment, and screening for other substance exposures.
- Explain evidence-based interventions for individuals with FASD and when and how to make appropriate referrals for assessment or management.
- Explain how FASD presents and is managed across the lifespan, as well as the roles of pediatric medical homes, transition of care, school systems, and the criminal legal system.
- Identify key legal, ethical, and systems considerations in FASD care.
- Describe prevention and public health strategies related to FASD.
Registration
This education is made available for free to all learners through grant funding by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant number 1H79TI086771-03 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Cancellations
All cancellation requests must be made in writing to [email protected] within 90 days of registration. Automatic cancellations and notifications will be made for any course with a live-activity component that has been cancelled.
Registration Deadline: 08/30/2027
Close Access Date: 09/30/2027
Instructions
- Click on the Contents tab to begin this activity.
- Click View Course to complete the on-demand module. Please note: Reaching the Finish and Exit page does not confirm course completion. Before proceeding to the post-test, verify that each section listed in the left-hand navigation menu displays a blue completion icon. If any section does not show a blue check mark/circle, return to that section and complete all required content.
- Click Complete Post Test to answer multiple choice questions. You will have 10 attempts to pass and must answer 2 out of 3 questions correctly.
- Click Complete GPRA Survey to complete the SAMHSA GPRA Survey.
- Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
- Click Complete Evaluation - Presenters to provide valuable presenter feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
- Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate.
- For Pharmacists ONLY: Complete the task entitled "Enter Pharmacist CPE Monitor Information (Required for Pharmacists)". Pharmacists must claim credit and provide their eProfile ID and Birthdate via the Pharmacist CPE Monitor Information survey within 30 days of completing the activity. ASAM will not report CPE Credits claimed 30+ days after activity completion to ACPE. ASAM will not report CPE Credits without accurate and complete information. Courses offering CPE Credit will indicate the amount of credit available for pharmacists on the Credits & Disclosure Tab.
Need Assistance?
For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please check the FAQ page, or contact [email protected].
Daniel Alford, MD, MPH
Daniel P. Alford, MD, MPH, is a board-certified primary care physician at Boston Medical Center (BMC), where he specializes in managing opioid use disorders and safer opioid prescribing. He is also a professor of medicine and associate dean of continuing medical education at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the director of the Clinical Addiction Research and Education (CARE) Unit at BMC. Dr. Alford has been recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House and has received the American Medical Association’s Award for Health Education, among other honors.Education (CARE) Unit at BMC. Dr. Alford has been recognized as a Champion of Change by the White House and has received the American Medical Association’s Award for Health Education, among other honors.
Julia Conkel Ziebell, PhD, LP
Julia Conkel Ziebell is the Senior Program Manager of Healthcare Initiatives at Proof Alliance. She leads the FASD Diagnostic Clinic, providing pediatric neuropsychological assessment to youth impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure. Dr. Conkel Ziebell has worked within the field of FASD assessment and diagnosis for 15 years, consulting with clinicians and healthcare systems throughout MN and nationally. She has provided extensive training on FASD diagnostic practices and served on a variety of state-appointed task forces and committees—most recently leading the review of FASD diagnostic guidelines in Minnesota. Dr. Conkel Ziebell received her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. She completed her predoctoral training in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School and postdoctoral training at Canvas Health. In addition, she holds a clinical certification as an FASD trainer from the Great Lakes FASD Regional Training Center (University of Wisconsin).
Vincent Smith, MD, MPH
Dr. Vincent C. Smith, MD, MPH is Division Chief of Newborn Medicine at Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Professor of Pediatrics at Boston University Medical School. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Stanford University School of Medicine, and the Harvard School of Public Health. He trained in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center in the Boston Combined Pediatric Residency Program. He then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the Harvard wide program, a collaboration of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in health services research at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith serves as the medical director for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Perinatal Association. He is an active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Society for Pediatric Research. He is also a former member of the National Perinatal Association Board of Directors.Boston Combined Pediatric Residency Program. He then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the Harvard wide program, a collaboration of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in health services research at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith serves as the medical director for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Perinatal Association. He is an active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Society for Pediatric Research. He is also a former member of the National Perinatal Association Board of Directors. In addition to parental NICU discharge readiness, his professional interests also include families affected by substance use and medical care for LGBTQIA+-headed families.Boston Combined Pediatric Residency Program. He then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the Harvard wide program, a collaboration of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in health services research at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith serves as the medical director for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Perinatal Association. He is an active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Society for Pediatric Research. He is also a former member of the National Perinatal Association Board of DirectorsBoston Combined Pediatric Residency Program. He then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the Harvard wide program, a collaboration of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in health services research at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith serves as the medical director for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Perinatal Association. He is an active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Society for Pediatric Research. He is also a former member of the National Perinatal Association Board of DirectorsBoston Combined Pediatric Residency Program. He then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine through the Harvard wide program, a collaboration of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston Children’s Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in health services research at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Smith serves as the medical director for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Perinatal Association. He is an active member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and Society for Pediatric Research. He is also a former member of the National Perinatal Association Board of Directors
Accreditation & Credits
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credits Available
- Physicians: 1.0 Credits
- Nurses & NPs: 1.0 Nursing Contact Hours
- PAs: 1.0 Credits
- Pharmacists: 1.0 Credits
- Social Workers: 1.0 Credits
- Interprofessional Continuing Education: 1.0 Credits
- Certified Counselors: 1.0 NBCC Contact Hour
American Society of Addiction Medicine has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7062. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Society of Addiction Medicine is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
- NAADAC: 1.0 CE Credits
Maintenance of Certification (MOC)/Continuing Certification Program (CCP)
This activity is designed to meet the requirements for MOC/CCP for several primary physician boards and for state licensing CME requirements. MOC Credit is only reported and designated for ABA, ABP, ABIM, and ABS. By completing the online credit application and evaluation, the learner permits ASAM to report credits to the appropriate Board. Learn more.
- ABA MOCA 2.0®*: 1.0 Lifelong Learning
- ABIM MOC Points: 1.0 Medical Knowledge | 1.0 Patient Safety
- ABP MOC: 1.0 Lifelong Learning & Self-Assessment
- ABS Continuing Certification: 1.0 Accredited CME
Additionally, this activity has been designed to satisfy the requirements of the following primary physician board certification requirements. Please confirm with your individual Board.
- American Board of Preventative Medicine (ABPM)
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
Certificates for other professions
All participants may request a certificate of participation upon completion of the activity and an online evaluation confirming their participation. Learners are strongly advised to contact their professional licensing board or professional association to confirm this certificate will be accepted as evidence supporting continuing education requirements.
California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE)
This educational program is approved by CAADE: #CP40 999 1225.
California Association of DUI Treatment Centers (CADTP)
This educational program is approved by CADTP: #205.
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
This educational program is approved by CCAPP: #OS-20-330-0227.
Disclosure Information
In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education.
See the attached pdf for a list of disclosures.
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