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Environmental correlates of cognition and behavior in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Authors:
- VICTOR Andrea, WOZNIAK Jeffrey R., CHANG Pi-Nian
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 18(3), 2009, pp.288-300.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Foetal alcohol exposure is the single most prevalent cause of intellectual impairment among children. This study examines the relationship between an important environmental variable, out-of-home placement, and neurocognitive and behavioural status in a group of school-age children diagnosed with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The hypothesis is that children with FASD who were removed from their biological homes and placed in foster care would show significantly better performance on neurocognitive measures and fewer behavioural problems compared to children who remained in their biological home. Archival data from 136 children aged 6-12 years with FASD was taken from an earlier study between 2001 and 2003. Significant cognitive and behavioural abnormalities were found in the overall sample. Children with one foster care placement performed significantly better on measures of verbal intelligence, mathematics achievement, and impulse control and endorsed fewer symptoms of internalising disorders compared to children who were never removed from their biological home. Children with multiple foster home placements generally fell between the other two groups on assessment measures. The article concludes that it may be important to consider placement history of children with FASD when attempting to understand their cognitive and behavioural abnormalities.